FOREIGN TRADE POLICY

[1st April, 2015 31st March, 2020]

Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 ............................................................................................... 13
LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND TRADE FACILITATION ......... 13
A. LEGAL FRAMEWORK ............................................................... 13
1.00 Legal Basis of Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) .............. 13
1.01 Duration of FTP ................................................................... 13
1.02 Amendment to FTP ............................................................ 13
1.03 Hand Book of Procedures (HBP) and
Appendices & Aayat Niryat Forms (AANF): ........... 13
1.04 Specific provision to prevail over the general ....... 14
1.05 Transitional Arrangements ............................................. 14
B. TRADE FACILITATION &
EASE OF DOING BUSINESS ..................................................... 15
1.06 Objective ................................................................................. 15
1.07 DGFT as a facilitator of exports/imports ................. 15
1.08 Niryat Bandhu - Hand Holding Scheme
for new export / import entrepreneurs ................. 15
1.09 Citizens Charter .................................................................. 16
1.10 Online Complaint Registration and
Monitoring System ............................................................. 16
1.11 Issue of e-IEC
(Electronic-Importer Exporter Code) ....................... 16
1.12 e-BRC ........................................................................................ 17
1.13 MoU with State Governments for sharing of
e-BRC data.............................................................................. 17
1.14 Exporter Importer Profile............................................... 18
1.15 Reduction in mandatory documents
required for Export and Import ................................... 18
1.16 Facility of online filing of applications ...................... 18
1.17 Online Inter-ministerial consultation ....................... 19
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1.18 Facility to upload documents by

Chartered Accountant / Company Secretary /
Cost Accountant .................................................................. 19
1.19 Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) ............................ 20
1.20 Message Exchange with Community partners ...... 20
(a)
Message Exchange with Customs ................................ 20
(b) Message Exchange with
eBiz (https://www.ebiz.gov.in) ................................... 20
(c)
Message Exchange with Banks ..................................... 21
(d)
Message Exchange with EPCs ....................................... 21
1.21 Encouraging development of Third Party API ...... 21
1.22 Forthcoming e-Governance Initiatives ..................... 21
1.23 Free passage of Export consignment........................ 22
1.24 No seizure of export related Stock ............................ 22
1.25 24 X 7 Customs clearance ............................................... 22
1.26 Single Window in Customs ............................................. 23
1.27 Self-Assessment of Customs Duty ............................... 23
1.28 Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)
Programme ............................................................................ 23
1.29 Prior filing facility for Shipping Bills ........................ 24
1.30 Cutting down delay in filing of
Export General Manifest (EGM) for
duty drawback ..................................................................... 25
1.31 Facility of Common Bond /
LUT against authorizations issued under
different EP Schemes ........................................................ 25
1.32 Exemption from Service Tax on Services
received abroad ................................................................... 25
1.33 Export of perishable agricultural Products ............ 25
1.34 Time Release Study (TRS) .............................................. 26
1.35 Towns of Export Excellence (TEE) ............................. 26
1.36 Director General of Commercial Intelligence
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and Statistics (DGCI&S), Kolkata as the

provider of trade data .......................................................... 27
CHAPTER 2 ............................................................................................... 28
GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING IMPORTS AND
EXPORTS ................................................................................................ 28
2.00 Objective ................................................................................. 28
2.01 Exports and Imports Free, unless regulated 28
2.02 Indian Trade Classification
(Harmonised System) [ITC (HS)] of
Exports and Imports ......................................................... 28
2.03 Compliance of Imports with Domestic Laws ........ 29
2.04 Authority to specify Procedures .................................. 29
Importer-Exporter Code / e-IEC .............................................. 30
2.05 Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) ..................................... 30
2.06 Mandatory documents for export/
import of goods from/into India ................................. 32
2.07 Principles of Restrictions ................................................ 33
2.08 Export/Import of Restricted goods/Services ....... 34
2.09 Export of SCOMET Items ................................................. 34
2.10 Actual User Condition ..................................................... 34
2.11 Terms and Conditions of an Authorisation ......... 35
2.12 Application Fee .................................................................... 35
2.13 Clearance of Goods from Customs
against Authorization ....................................................... 35
2.14 Authorisation - not a Right............................................ 35
2.15 Penal action and placing of an entity in
Denied Entity List (DEL) ................................................ 36
Prohibitions (Country and Product Specific): ................. 37
2.16 Prohibition on Import and Export of
Arms and related material from / to Iraq .......... 37
2.17 Prohibition on Direct or Indirect Import
and Export from / to Democratic Peoples
3

Republic of Korea ............................................................... 37

2.18 Prohibition on Direct or Indirect Import
and Export from/ to Iran ................................................ 38
2.19 Prohibition on Import of Charcoal from Somalia 38
Import / Export Through State Trading Enterprises: 39
2.20 State Trading Enterprises (STEs) ............................... 39
Trade with Specific Countries: .................................................. 39
2.21 Trade with neighbouring Countries ........................ 39
2.22 Transit Facility ..................................................................... 40
2.23 Trade with Russia under
Debt-Repayment Agreement ....................................... 40
Import of Specific Categories of Goods: ............................... 40
2.24 Import of Samples .............................................................. 40
2.25 Import of Gifts ...................................................................... 40
2.26 Passenger Baggage ............................................................. 40
2.27 Re import of goods repaired abroad ...................... 41
2.28 Import of goods used in projects abroad ................ 41
2.29 Import of Prototypes......................................................... 41
2.30 Import through courier service ................................... 42
Import Policy for Second Hand Goods : ............................... 42
2.31 Second Hand Goods .......................................................... 42
Import Policy for Metallic Waste and Scraps : ................ 43
2. 32 Import of Metallic waste and Scrap .......................... 43
2.33 Removal of Scrap/waste from SEZ ............................. 44
Other Provisions Related to Imports:................................... 44
2.34 Import under Lease Financing ................................... 44
2.35 Execution of Legal Undertaking (LUT) /
Bank Guarantee (BG) ........................................................ 44
2.36 Private/Public Bonded Warehouses for
Imports ................................................................................... 44
2.37 Special provision for Hides Skins and
semi-finished goods........................................................... 45
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2.38 Sale on High Seas ................................................................ 45

Exports: ................................................................................................... 45
2.39 Free Exports .......................................................................... 45
2.40 Exemption / Remission of Service Tax
in DTA on goods & services exported ....................... 46
2.41 Benefits for Supporting Manufacturers.................... 46
2.42 Third Party Exports .......................................................... 46
Exports of Specific Categories ................................................... 46
2.43 Export of Samples .............................................................. 46
2.44 Export of Gifts....................................................................... 47
2.45 Export of Passenger Baggage ...................................... 47
2.46 Import for export ................................................................ 47
2.47 Export through Courier Service ................................... 49
2.48 Export of Replacement Goods .................................... 49
2.49 Export of Repaired Goods ............................................... 49
2.50 Export of Spares ................................................................. 49
2.51 Private Bonded Warehouses for Exports .............. 50
Payments and Receipts on Imports / Exports ................. 50
2.52 Denomination of Export Contracts ............................. 50
2.53 Export to Iran Realisations in
Indian Rupees to be eligible for FTP
benefits / incentives .......................................................... 51
2.54 Non-Realisation of Export Proceeds ......................... 51
Export Promotion Councils......................................................... 52
2.55 Recognition of Export Promotion Councils
(EPCs) to function as Registering Authority
for issue of RCMC. ............................................................... 52
2.56 Registration-cum-Membership Certificate
(RCMC) .................................................................................... 52
Policy Interpretation and Relaxations: ............................... 53
2.57 Interpretation of Policy ................................................... 53
2.58 Exemption from Policy/ Procedures ....................... 53
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2.59 Personal Hearing by DGFT for

Grievance Redressal .......................................................... 54
2.60 Regularization of EO default and
settlement of Customs duty and interest
through Settlement Commission ............................. 55
Self Certification of Originating Goods ................................ 55
2.61 Approved Exporter Scheme for
Self Certification of Certificate of Origin. ................ 55
CHAPTER 3 ............................................................................................... 57
EXPORTS FROM INDIA SCHEMES ............................................. 57
3.00 Objective ................................................................................. 57
3.01 Exports from India Schemes .......................................... 57
3.02 Nature of Rewards ............................................................. 57
Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) .......... 58
3.03 Objective ................................................................................. 58
3.04 Entitlement under MEIS .................................................. 58
3.05 Export of goods through courier or
foreign post offices using e-Commerce .................... 58
3.06 Ineligible categories under MEIS .............................. 59
Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS) ........................ 60
3.07 Objective ................................................................................. 60
3.08 Eligibility................................................................................. 60
3.09 Ineligible categories under SEIS .................................. 61
3.10 Entitlement under SEIS .................................................... 63
3.11 Remittances through Credit Card and
other instruments for MEIS and SEIS ........................ 63
3.12 Effective date of schemes (MEIS and SEIS)............. 63
3.13 Special Provisions............................................................... 63
Common Provisions for Exports from India Schemes
(MEIS and SEIS) .................................................................................. 64
3.14 Transitional Arrangement .............................................. 64
3.15 CENVAT/ Drawback .......................................................... 64
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3.16 Import under lease financing ........................................ 64

3.17 Transfer of export performance .................................. 65
3.18 Facility of payment of custom duties
in case of E.O. defaults and fee through
duty credit scrips ................................................................ 65
3.19 Risk Management System ............................................... 65
3.20 Status Holder ........................................................................ 66
3.21 Status Category .................................................................... 67
3.22 Grant of double weightage ............................................. 67
3.23 Other conditions for grant of status ........................... 68
3.24 Privileges of Status Holders ......................................... 68
CHAPTER 4 ............................................................................................... 71
DUTY EXEMPTION / REMISSION SCHEMES ....................... 71
4.00 Objective ................................................................................. 71
4.01 Schemes .................................................................................. 71
4.02 Applicability of Policy & Procedures ......................... 71
4.03 Advance Authorisation..................................................... 72
4.04 Advance Authorisation for Spices ............................... 72
4.05 Eligible Applicant / Export / Supply.......................... 72
4.06 Advance Authorisation for
Annual Requirement ......................................................... 73
4.07 Eligibility Condition to obtain
Advance Authorisation for
Annual Requirement ......................................................... 73
4.08 Value Addition...................................................................... 74
4.09 Minimum Value Addition ................................................ 74
4.10 Import of Mandatory Spares ......................................... 75
4.11 Ineligible categories of import on
Self Declaration basis ........................................................ 75
4.12 Accounting of Input ........................................................... 76
4.13 Pre-import condition in certain cases ....................... 77
4.14 Details of Duties exempted ............................................ 77
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4.15 Admissibility of Drawback ............................................. 78

4.16 Actual User Condition for
Advance Authorisation .................................................... 78
4.17 Validity Period for Import .............................................. 79
4.18 Importability / Exportability of items
that are Prohibited/Restricted/ STE ......................... 79
4.19 Free of Cost Supply by Foreign Buyer ....................... 80
4.20 Domestic Sourcing of Inputs ......................................... 80
4.21 Currency for Realisation of Export Proceeds......... 81
4.22 Export Obligation ............................................................... 82
4.23 Export Obligation Period (EOP) Extension
for units under BIFR/ Rehabilitation. ....................... 83
4.24 Re-import of exported goods under
Duty Exemption / Remission Scheme....................... 83
DUTY FREE IMPORT AUTHORISATION SCHEME
(DFIA)....................................................................................................... 83
4.25 DFIA Scheme ......................................................................... 83
4.26 Duties Exempted and Admissibility of
Cenvat and Drawback ....................................................... 84
4.27 Eligibility ................................................................................ 84
4.28 Minimum Value Addition ................................................ 85
4.29 Validity & Transferability of DFIA .............................. 85
4.30 Sensitive Items under
Duty Free Import Authorisation .................................. 86
SCHEMES FOR EXPORTERS OF
GEMS AND JEWELLERY .................................................................. 87
4.31 Import of Input .................................................................... 87
4.32 Items of Export .................................................................... 87
4.33 Schemes .................................................................................. 88
4.34 Advance Procurement/ Replenishment of
Precious Metals from Nominated Agencies ............ 88
4.35 Replenishment Authorisation for Gems ................... 88
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4.36
4.37
4.38
4.39
4.40
4.41
4.42
4.43
4.44
4.45
4.46
4.47
4.48
4.49
4.50
4.51

4.52
4.53

Replenishment Authorisation for Consumables .. 89

Advance Authorisation for Precious Metals. .......... 89
Value Addition...................................................................... 90
Wastage Norms.................................................................... 91
DFIA not available .............................................................. 91
Nominated Agencies ......................................................... 91
Import of Diamonds for Certification /
Grading & Re- export ........................................................ 92
Export of Cut & Polished Diamonds
for Certification/ Grading & Re-import .................... 92
Export of Cut & Polished Diamonds with
Re-import Facility at Zero Duty ................................... 92
Export against Supply by Foreign Buyer ................. 93
Export Promotion Tours/
Export of Branded Jewellery ......................................... 93
Personal Carriage of Export / Import Parcels ....... 94
Export by Post ...................................................................... 94
Private / Public Bonded Warehouse ......................... 94
Diamond & Jewellery Dollar Accounts ...................... 94
Export of cut & polished precious and
semi-precious stones for treatment and
re-import ................................................................................ 96
Re-import of rejected Jewellery ................................... 96
Export and import on consignment basis ............... 96

CHAPTER 5 ............................................................................................... 97
EXPORT PROMOTION CAPITAL GOODS (EPCG)
SCHEME ................................................................................................... 97
5.00 Objective ................................................................................. 97
5.01 EPCG Scheme ........................................................................ 97
5.02 Coverage ................................................................................. 99
5.03 Actual User Condition .....................................................100
5.04 Export Obligation (EO) ...................................................100
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5.05 Provision for units under BIFR /Rehabilitation .101

5.06 LUT/Bond/BG in case of Agro units ........................102
5.07 Indigenous Sourcing of Capital Goods and
benefits to Domestic Supplier .....................................102
5.08 Calculation of Export Obligation................................102
5.09 Incentive for early EO fulfilment ...............................102
5.10 Reduced EO for Green Technology Products ......103
5.11 Reduced EO for North East Region and
Jammu & Kashmir ............................................................103
5.12 Post Export EPCG Duty Credit Scrip(s)...................103
CHAPTER 6 .............................................................................................105
EXPORT ORIENTED UNITS (EOUs), ELECTRONICS
HARDWARE TECHNOLOGY PARKS (EHTPs),
SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY PARKS (STPs) AND BIOTECHNOLOGY PARKS (BTPs) ...................................................105
6.00 Introduction and Objective ..........................................105
6.01 Export and Import of Goods ........................................105
6.02 Secondhand Capital goods ...........................................108
6.03 Leasing of Capital Goods ...............................................108
6.04 Net Foreign Exchange Earnings .................................109
6.05 Letter of Permission / Letter of Intent and
Legal Undertaking ............................................................110
6.06 Investment Criteria..........................................................111
6.07 Applications & Approvals .............................................111
6.08 DTA Sale of Finished Products / Rejects /
Waste/ Scrap / Remnants and By-products .......111
6.09 Other Supplies ....................................................................115
6.10 Export through others ....................................................117
6.11 Entitlement for Supplies from the DTA ..................117
6.12 Other Entitlements ..........................................................119
6.13 Inter Unit Transfer ...........................................................120
6.14 Sub Contracting ..............................................................121
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6.15 Sale of Unutilized Material ...........................................123

6.16 Reconditioning / Repair and Re - engineering ...124
6.17 Replacement / Repair of Imported /
Indigenous Goods .............................................................124
6.18 Exit from EOU Scheme ...................................................125
6.19 Conversion ...........................................................................127
6.20 Monitoring of NFE ............................................................128
6.21 Export through Exhibitions /
Export Promotion Tours /
Showrooms Abroad / Duty Free Shops ..................128
6.22 Personal Carriage of Import /
Export Parcels including through
Foreign Bound Passengers ...........................................128
6.23 Export / Import by Post / Courier ............................129
6.24 Administration of EOUs / Powers of DC ................129
6.25 Revival of Sick Units ........................................................129
6.26 Approval of EHTP / STP ................................................129
6.27 Approval of BTP ................................................................129
6.28 Warehousing Facilities ...................................................130
CHAPTER 7 .............................................................................................131
DEEMED EXPORTS ..........................................................................131
7.00 Objective ...............................................................................131
7.01 Deemed Exports ................................................................131
7.02 Categories of Supply ........................................................131
7.03 Benefits for Deemed Exports ......................................134
7.04 Benefits to the Supplier /Recipient ..........................134
7.05 Conditions for refund of terminal excise duty ....135
7.06 Conditions for refund of deemed export
drawback ..............................................................................135
7.07 Common conditions for deemed export
benefits ..................................................................................136
7.08 Benefits on specified supplies.....................................136
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7.09 Liability of Interest ..........................................................137

7.10 Risk Management and Internal Audit
mechanism ............................................................................137
7.11 Penal Action .........................................................................138
CHAPTER 8 .............................................................................................139
QUALITY COMPLAINTS AND TRADE DISPUTES ............139
8.00 Objective ...............................................................................139
8.01 Quality Complaints/ Trade disputes........................139
8.02 Obligation on the part of importer/ exporter .....140
8.03 Provisions in FT (D&R) Act &
FT (Regulation) Rules for necessary
action against erring exporters/ importers .........140
8.04 Mechanism for handling of Complaints/
Disputes ................................................................................141
8.05 Proceedings under CQCTD ...........................................142
8.06 Procedures to deal with complaints and
trade disputes ...................................................................142
8.07 Corrective Measures .......................................................143
8.08 Nodal Officer .......................................................................143
CHAPTER 9 .............................................................................................144
DEFINITIONS ......................................................................................144
GLOSSARY (ACRONYMS) .............................................................154
Acronym Explanation ..................................................................154

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CHAPTER 1
LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND TRADE FACILITATION
A. LEGAL FRAMEWORK
1.00 Legal Basis of Foreign Trade Policy (FTP)
The Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-20, is notified by Central
Government, in exercise of powers conferred under Section
5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act,
1992 (No. 22 of 1992) [FT (D&R) Act], as amended.
1.01 Duration of FTP
The Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2015-2020, incorporating
provisions relating to export and import of goods and
services, shall come into force with effect from the date of
notification and shall remain in force up to 31st March,
2020, unless otherwise specified. All exports and imports
made upto the date of notification shall, accordingly, be
governed by the relevant FTP, unless otherwise specified.
1.02 Amendment to FTP
Central Government, in exercise of powers conferred by
Section 5 of FT (D&R) Act, 1992, as amended from time to
time, reserves the right to make any amendment to the FTP,
by means of notification, in public interest.
1.03 Hand Book of Procedures (HBP) and Appendices &
Aayat Niryat Forms (AANF):
Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) may, by means of
a Public Notice, notify Hand Book of Procedures, including
Appendices and Aayat Niryat Forms or amendment thereto,
if any, laying down the procedure to be followed by an
exporter or importer or by any Licensing/Regional
13

Authority or by any other authority for purposes of

implementing provisions of FT (D&R) Act, the Rules and the
Orders made there under and provisions of FTP.
1.04 Specific provision to prevail over the general
Where a specific provision is spelt out in the FTP/Hand Book
of Procedures (HBP), the same shall prevail over the general
provision.
1.05 Transitional Arrangements
(a)

Any License / Authorisation / Certificate / Scrip / any

instrument bestowing financial or fiscal benefit issued
before commencement of FTP 2015-20 shall continue
to be valid for the purpose and duration for which such
License/Authorisation/ Certificate / Scrip / any
instrument bestowing financial or fiscal benefit
Authorisation was issued, unless otherwise stipulated.

(b) In case an export or import that is permitted freely

under FTP is subsequently subjected to any restriction
or regulation, such export or import will ordinarily be
permitted, notwithstanding such restriction or
regulation, unless otherwise stipulated. This is subject
to the condition that the shipment of export or import
is made within the original validity period of an
irrevocable commercial letter of credit, established
before the date of imposition of such restriction and it
shall be restricted to the balance value and quantity
available and time period of such irrevocable letter of
credit. For operationalising such irrevocable letter of
credit, the applicant shall have to register the Letter of
Credit with jurisdictional Regional Authority (RA)
against computerized receipt, within 15 days of the
imposition of any such restriction or regulation.
14

B.

TRADE FACILITATION & EASE OF DOING BUSINESS

1.06 Objective
Trade facilitation is a priority of the Government for cutting
down the transaction cost and time, thereby rendering
Indian exports more competitive. The various provisions of
FTP and measures taken by the Government in the direction
of trade facilitation are consolidated under this chapter for
the benefit of stakeholders of import and export trade.
1.07 DGFT as a facilitator of exports/imports
DGFT has a commitment to function as a facilitator of
exports and imports. Focus is on good governance, which
depends on efficient, transparent and accountable delivery
systems. In order to facilitate international trade, DGFT
consults various Export Promotion Councils as well as Trade
and Industry bodies from time to time.
1.08 Niryat Bandhu - Hand Holding Scheme for new
export / import entrepreneurs
(a)

DGFT is implementing the Niryat Bandhu Scheme for

mentoring new and potential exporter on the
intricacies of foreign trade through counselling,
training and outreach programmes.

(b) Considering the strategic significance of small and

medium scale enterprises in the manufacturing sector
and in employment generation, MSME clusters have
been identified, based on the export potential of the
product and the density of industries in the cluster, for
focussed interventions to boost exports.
(c)

Outreach activities shall be organized in a structured

way with the help of Export Promotion Councils as
15

industry partners and other willing knowledge

partners in academia and research community to
achieve the objective of Niryat Bandhu Scheme.
Further, in order to ensure optimum utilization of
resources, efforts would be made to associate all the
stakeholders, including Customs, ECGC, Banks and
concerned Ministries.
1.09 Citizens Charter
DGFT has in place a Citizens Charter, giving time schedules
for providing various services to clients.
1.10 Online Complaint Registration
System

and Monitoring

An EDI Help Desk is available to assist the exporters in filing

online applications on the DGFT portal and resolving other
EDI related issues. For assistance an email may be sent at
dgftedi@nic.in or Toll Free number 1800111550 can be
used. Help Desk facility is also operational at the 4 DGFT
Zonal Offices (details at http://dgft.gov.in). An Online
Complaint registration and monitoring system allows users
to register complaint and receive status/ reply online
(details are at http://dgft.gov.in).
1.11 Issue of e-IEC (Electronic-Importer Exporter Code)
(a)

Importer Exporter Code (IEC) is mandatory for

export/import from/to India as detailed in paragraph
2.05 of this Policy. DGFT has recently introduced the
facility of issuing Importer Exporter Code in electronic
form (e-IEC). For issuance of e-IEC an application can
be made online on DGFT website (http//:dgft.gov.in).
Applicants can upload the documents and pay the
required fee through Net banking.
16

(b) Processing of such applications by Regional Authority

(RAs) of DGFT would be done online and a digitally
signed e-IEC would normally be issued/ e-mailed to the
applicant within 2 working days.
(c)

In case the application is incomplete or otherwise

ineligible, the same shall be rejected and a Rejection
letter/email (with reasons for rejection) would be sent
to the applicant.

(d) Application for issue of e-IEC can also be made from

eBiz platform (https://www.ebiz.gov.in).
1.12 e-BRC
One prominent initiative in recent times has been the e-BRC
(Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate) project and its
successful implementation by DGFT. It has enabled DGFT to
capture details of realisation of export proceeds directly
from the Banks through secured electronic mode. This has
facilitated the implementation of various export promotion
schemes without any physical interface with the stake
holders. So far more than one crore e-BRCs have been
captured by this system.
1.13 MoU with State Governments for sharing of e-BRC
data
MoU has been signed with state governments for sharing of
e-BRC data to facilitate refund of VAT by the state
governments to exporters. MoU has also been signed with
Enforcement Directorate.

17

1.14 Exporter Importer Profile

An electronic procedure has been created to upload various
documents in exporter importer profile. Once uploaded,
there will be no need to submit these documents / copies of
these documents to Regional Authority repeatedly with each
application. It intends to reduce the transaction cost and
time and is a step towards paperless processing of different
applications in DGFT.
1.15 Reduction in mandatory documents required for
Export and Import
The number of mandatory documents required for exports
and imports of goods from/into India have been reduced to
three each, as prescribed under paragraph 2.06 of FTP.
1.16 Facility of online filing of applications
All the Regional Authorities (RA) of DGFT and extension
counters have been networked with high speed internet.
The applications are received and processed electronically.
DGFT under the EDI initiatives has provided the facility of on
line filing of applications to obtain Importer Exporter Code
and various authorizations /scrips. DGFT is one of the first
digital signature enabled organisation of the Government of
India (GOI), which has introduced a higher level of
Encrypted 2048 bit digital signature. There is a web
interface for online filing of application after accessing DGFT
website (http://dgft.gov.in). The application can be filed by
exporter/CHA sitting at home or office in 24X7 environment.
Application fee can also be paid online from linked banks.
Efforts are being made to allow payment by debit/credit
cards as well. The applications are signed with a digital
signature and submitted electronically to the concerned
Regional Authority of DGFT, which are then processed on
computer by the Regional Authority and authorisations/
18

scrips are issued. Online filing has minimized the physical

interface.
1.17 Online Inter-ministerial consultation
Presently, the exporters are required to file applications
online on the website of DGFT under the Icon E-COM and are
required to submit the duly signed and stamped printout of
the online application along with all the necessary
documents viz. technical specifications, literature etc. Now,
a facility is being provided to upload copies of all the
required documents including technical specifications,
literature etc in PDF/JPG/JPEG/GIF format in the online
filing system in respect of (a) Fixation of norms under
Advance Authorisation by Norms Committees (b) Export of
Restricted Items (c) Import of Restricted Items (d) SCOMET
Items. The exporters would not be required to submit the
hard copy of application except architectural drawings,
machine drawings etc which may be difficult to scan and
upload. The processing of the applications will also be done
online.
1.18 Facility to upload documents by Chartered
Accountant / Company Secretary / Cost Accountant
In order to move towards paperless processing, an
electronic procedure is being developed to upload digitally
signed documents by Chartered Accountant / Company
Secretary / Cost Accountant. To start with, this facility
would be created for Export From India Schemes under
Chapter 3. Such documents like Annexure Attached to ANF
3B, ANF 3C and ANF 3D, which are at present signed by
these signatories, can be facilitated by this procedure.
Exporter shall link digitally uploaded annexure with his
online applications after creation of such facility. These
facilities may be extended in phased manner to upload
19

documents pertaining to other schemes like Advance

Authorisation, DFIA and EPCG.
1.19 Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
DGFT has put in place a robust EDI system for the purpose of
export facilitation and good governance. DGFT has set up a
secured EDI message exchange system for various
documentation related activities including import and
export authorizations established with other administrative
departments, namely, Customs, Banks and EPCs. This has
reduced the physical interface of exporters and importers
with the Government Departments and is a significant
measure in the direction of reduction of transaction cost.
The endeavour of DGFT has been to enlarge the scope of EDI
to achieve higher level of integration with partner
departments.
1.20 Message Exchange with Community partners
Customs, Banks, Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) are
major community partners of DGFT for message exchange.
An effective message exchange system is in place with
various community partners which is as follows:
(a)

Message Exchange with Customs

(i) Importer Exporter Code Number.
(ii) Authorisations/Scrips for DFIA, AA, EPCG.
(iii) Shipping Bills for Duty Free Import Authorisation
(DFIA), Advance Authorisation (AA), Export
Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG), Reward Scrips.

(b) Message Exchange with eBiz (https://www.ebiz.gov.in)

(i)

Application for Importer Exporter Code

Number
20

(ii) Application for e-IEC.

(c) Message Exchange with Banks
(i) Application Fee
(ii) electronic Bank Realisation Certificate (e-BRC)
data
(d)

Message Exchange with EPCs

Registration cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) data.

1.21 Encouraging development of Third Party API

DGFT will encourage development of third party software
for integration with its system to offer users multiple
options for interfacing with the DGFT.
1.22 Forthcoming e-Governance Initiatives
DGFT is currently working on the following EDI initiatives:
(i)

Message exchange for transmission of export reward

scrips from DGFT to Customs.
(ii) Message exchange for transmission of Bills of Entry
(import details) from Customs to DGFT.
(iii) Online issuance of Export Obligation Discharge
Certificate (EODC).
(iv) Message exchange with Ministry of Corporate Affairs
for CIN & DIN information.
(v) Message exchange with CBDT for PAN.
(vi) Acceptance of payment through debit / credit card for
payment of application fee under FTP.
(vii) Open API for submission of e-IEC application.
(viii) Mobile Applications for FTP.

21

1.23 Free passage of Export consignment

Consignments of items meant for exports shall not be
withheld/ delayed for any reason by any agency of Central/
State Government. In case of any doubt, authorities
concerned may ask for an undertaking from exporter and
release such consignment.
1.24 No seizure of export related Stock
No seizure shall be made by any agency so as to disrupt
manufacturing activity and delivery schedule of exports. In
exceptional cases, concerned agency may seize the stock on
the basis of prima facie evidence of serious irregularity.
However, such seizure should be lifted within 7 days unless
the irregularities are substantiated.
1.25 24 X 7 Customs clearance
(a)

The facility of 24 X 7 Customs clearance for specified

import viz. Goods covered by facilitated Bills of Entry
and specified exports viz. Factory stuffed containers
and goods exported under free Shipping Bills has been
made available, at the 18 sea ports at : Chennai, Cochin,
Ennore, Gopalpur, JNPT, Kakinada, Kandla, Kolkata,
Mumbai, New Mangalore, Marmagoa, Mundra, Okha,
Paradeep, Pipavav, Sikka, Tuticorin, Vishakapatnam.

(b) The facility of 24 X 7 Customs clearance for specified

imports viz. Goods covered by facilitated Bills of Entry
and all exports viz. Goods covered by all Shipping Bills
has also been made available at the 17 air cargo
complexes at: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore,
Chennai, Coimbatore, Cochin, Calicut, Delhi, Goa,
Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nashik,
Thiruvananthapuram, Vishakhapatnam.
22

1.26 Single Window in Customs

(a)

To facilitate trade, the importer and exporter would

lodge their clearance documents at a single point only.
Required permission if any, from other regulatory
agencies would be obtained online without the trader
having to approach these agencies. This would reduce
interface with Governmental agencies, dwell time and
cost of doing business.

(b) Single Window provides a common platform to trade to

meet requirements of all regulatory agencies (such as
Animal Quarantine, Plant Quarantine, Drug Controller,
Textile Committee, etc) involved in exim trade through
message exchange. Single Window Scheme is basically
a network of cooperating facilities bound by trust and
set of agreed interface specifications in which trade has
seamless access to regulatory services delivered
through electronic means. Benefits of Single Window
Scheme include reduced cost of doing business,
enhances transparency, integration of regulatory
requirements at one common platform reduces
duplicity and cost of compliance, optimal utilization of
manpower.
1.27 Self-Assessment of Customs Duty
Self-Assessment of Customs duty by importers or exporters
was introduced vide Finance Act, 2011. The system is trust
based. The objective is to expedite release of imported /
export goods. The system operates on an electronic Risk
Management System (RMS).
1.28 Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme
Based upon WCOs SAFE Framework of Standards (FoS),
Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme has been
23

developed by Indian Customs to enable business involved in

the international trade to reap the following benefits:
(i) Secure supply chain from point of export to import;
(ii) Ability to demonstrate compliance with security
standards when contracting to supply overseas
importers / exporters;
(iii) Enhanced border clearance privileges in Mutual
Recognition Agreement (MRA) partner countries;
(iv) Minimal disruption to flow of cargo after a security
related disruption;
(v) Reduction in dwell time and related costs; and
(vi) Customs advise / assistance if trade faces unexpected
issues with Customs of countries with which India have
MRA.
The AEO programmes have been implemented by other
Customs administrations that give AEO status holders
preferential Customs treatment in terms of reduced
examination, faster clearances and other benefits. Thus, the
AEO programme is expected to result in Mutual Recognition
Agreements (MRA) with these Customs administrations.
MRAs would ensure export goods get due Customs
facilitation at the point of entry in the foreign country. Apart
from securing supply chain, the benefits include reduction in
dwell time and consequent cost of doing business. Indian
Customs has signed MRA with Hong Kong Customs to
recognise respective AEO Programmes to enable trade to get
benefits on reciprocal basis. Indian Customs is also engaged
in finalising MRA with other counties such as South Korea,
Taiwan, USA etc.
1.29 Prior filing facility for Shipping Bills
To facilitate processing of shipping bills before actual
shipment, prior online filing facility for shipping bills has
24

been provided by the Customs - 7 days for air shipments &

ICDs and 14 days for shipments by sea.
1.30 Cutting down delay in filing of Export General
Manifest (EGM) for duty drawback
To facilitate quicker filing of EGMs and quicker rectification
of EGM errors, there is a mechanism of monthly monitoring
of EGMs by Chief Commissioners of Customs to ensure that
facilitation does not lag on this account (Instruction No.
603/01/2011-DBK dated 31.07.2013).
1.31 Facility of Common Bond / LUT against
authorizations issued under different EP Schemes
CBEC Circular 11(A)/2011-Cus dated 25.02.2011 has
provided the financial year-wise facility of executing
common Bond/LUT against Advance Authorization
(AA)/Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Authorisation
which is usable across all EDI ports/locations.
1.32 Exemption from Service Tax on Services received
abroad
For all goods and services exported from India, services
received / rendered abroad, where ever possible, shall be
exempted from service tax.
1.33 Export of perishable agricultural Products
To reduce transaction and handling costs, a single window
system to facilitate export of perishable agricultural produce
has been introduced. The system will involve creation of
multi-functional nodal agencies to be accredited by
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export
Development Authority (APEDA), New Delhi. The detailed
procedure has been notified at Appendix 1C to Appendices &
ANFs.
25

1.34 Time Release Study (TRS)

Central Board of Excise and Customs has decided to
undertake Time Release Study (TRS) as per WCO
guidelines at major Customs locations on six monthly basis.
WCO Time Release Study (TRS) is a unique tool and method
for measuring the actual performance of Customs. The
underlying objectives of Time Release Study are:
(i)

Identifying bottlenecks in the international supply

chain / or constraints affecting Customs release.

(ii) Establishing baseline trade facilitation performance

measurement.
1.35 Towns of Export Excellence (TEE)
(a)

Objective: Development and growth of export

production centres. A number of towns have emerged
as
dynamic
industrial
clusters
contributing
handsomely to Indias exports. It is necessary to grant
recognition to these industrial clusters with a view to
maximize their potential and enable them to move up
the value chain and also to tap new markets.

(b) Selected towns producing goods of Rs. 750 Crore or

more may be notified as TEE based on potential for
growth in exports. However for TEE in Handloom,
Handicraft, Agriculture and Fisheries sector, threshold
limit would be Rs.150 Crore. The following facilities
will be provided to such TEEs:
(i)

Recognized associations of units will be provided

financial assistance under MAI scheme, on
priority basis, for export promotion projects for
26

marketing, capacity building and technological

services.
(ii) Common Service Providers in these areas shall be
entitled for EPCG scheme.
(c)

Notified Towns (TEEs) are listed in Appendix 1 B of

Appendices & ANFs.

1.36 Director General of Commercial Intelligence and

Statistics (DGCI&S), Kolkata as the provider of
trade data
DGCI&S is an ISO certified organization under the
administrative control of DGFT and it is the provider of trade
data which is a source of guidance and direction for export &
import trade and which help the exporters and importers
formulate their trade strategy. Foreign trade data is
disseminated by DGCI&S through (i) Monthly & Quarterly
publications in CD form and (ii) Generation of data from the
Foreign Trade database as per users request. The DGCI&S
has a Priced Information System (PIS) for disseminating
data except for purely Central and State Governments and
United Nations bodies. DGCI&S has put in place a Data
Suppression Policy. The aim of this policy is to maintain
confidentiality of importers and exporters commercially
sensitive business data. Transaction level data would not be
made publicly available to protect privacy. DGCI&S trade
data shall be made available at aggregate level with a
minimum possible time lag on commercial criteria. DGCI&S
can be visited at http://dgciskol.nic.in.

27

CHAPTER 2
GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING IMPORTS AND
EXPORTS
2.00 Objective
The general provisions governing import and export of
goods and services are dealt with in this chapter.
2.01 Exports and Imports Free, unless regulated
(a)

Exports and Imports shall be Free except when

regulated by way of prohibition, restriction or
exclusive trading through State Trading Enterprises
(STEs) as laid down in Indian Trade Classification
(Harmonised System) [ITC (HS)] of Exports and
Imports. The list of Prohibited, Restricted and STE
items can be viewed by clicking on Downloads at
http://dgft.gov.in.

(b) Further, there are some items which are free for
import/export, but subject to conditions stipulated in
other Acts or in law for the time being in force.
2.02 Indian Trade Classification (Harmonised System)
[ITC (HS)] of Exports and Imports
(a)

ITC (HS) is a compilation of codes for all merchandise /

goods for export/ import. Goods are classified based on
their group or sub-group at 2/4/6/8 digits.

(b) ITC (HS) is aligned at 6 digit level with international

Harmonized System goods nomenclature maintained
by World Customs Organization (http://www.
wcoomd.org). However, India maintains national
Harmonized System of goods at 8 digit level which may
28

be viewed by
http://dgft.gov.in.
(c)

clicking

on

Downloads

at

The import/export policies for all goods are indicated

against each item in ITC (HS). Schedule 1 of ITC (HS)
lays down the Import Policy regime while Schedule 2
of ITC (HS) details the Export Policy regime.

(d) Except where it is clearly specified, Schedule 1 of

ITC (HS), Import Policy is for new goods and not for
t h e Second Hand goods. For Second Hand goods, the
Import Policy regime is given in Para 2.31 in this FTP.
2.03 Compliance of Imports with Domestic Laws
(a)

Domestic Laws/ Rules/ Orders/ Regulations /

Technical specifications/ environmental/ safety and
health norms applicable to domestically produced
goods shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to imports, unless
specifically exempted.

(b) However, goods to be utilized/ consumed in

manufacture of export products, as notified by DGFT,
may be exempted from domestic standards/quality
specifications.
2.04 Authority to specify Procedures
DGFT may specify procedure to be followed by an exporter
or importer or by any licensing/Regional Authority (RA) or
by any other authority for purposes of implementing
provisions of FT (D&R) Act, the Rules and the Orders made
there under and FTP. Such procedure, or amendments, if
any, shall be published by means of a Public Notice.

29

Importer-Exporter Code / e-IEC

2.05 Importer-Exporter Code (IEC)
(I)

An IEC is a 10-digit number allotted to a person that

is mandatory for undertaking any export/import
activities. Now the facility for IEC in electronic form
or e-IEC has also been operationalised.
(a) Application for IEC/e-IEC:
Application for obtaining IEC can be filed
manually and submitting the form in the office of
Regional Authority (RA) of DGFT. Alternatively,
an application for e-IEC may be filed online in
ANF 2A, in accordance with Para 2.08 of
Handbook of Procedure on payment of
application fee of Rs. 500/-, to be paid online
through net banking or credit/debit card (to be
operationalised shortly). Documents/ details
required to be uploaded/ submitted along with
the application form are listed in the Application
Form (ANF 2A).
(b) When an e-IEC is approved by the competent
authority, applicant is informed through e-mail
that a computer generated e-IEC is available on
the DGFT website. By clicking on Application
Status after having filled and submitted the
requisite details in Online IEC Application
webpage, applicant can view and print his e-IEC.
(c)

Briefly, following are the requisite details

/documents (scanned copies) to be submitted/
uploaded along with the application for IEC:
30

(i)

Details of the entity seeking the IEC:

(1) PAN of the business entity in whose name
Import/Export would be done (Applicant
individual in case of Proprietorship firms).
(2) Address Proof of the applicant entity.
(3) LLPIN /CIN/ Registration Certification
Number (whichever is applicable).
(4) Bank account details of the entity.
Cancelled Cheque bearing entitys preprinted name or Bank certificate in
prescribed format ANF2A(I).

(ii) Details of the Proprietor/ Partners/ Directors/

Secretary or Chief Executive of the Society/
Managing Trustee of the entity:
(1) PAN (for all categories)
(2) DIN/DPIN (in case of Company /LLP firm)
(iii) Details of the signatory applicant:
(1) Identity proof
(2) PAN
(3) Digital photograph
(d) In case the applicant has digital signature, the
application can also be submitted online and no
physical application or document is required. In
case the applicant does not possess digital
signature, a print out of the application filed
online duly signed by the applicant has to be
submitted to the concerned jurisdictional RA, in
person or by post.

31

(e) Detailed guidelines for applying for e-IEC are

available at <http://dgft.gov.in/exim/2000/
iec_anf/ iecanf.htm>.
(II) No Export/Import without IEC:
(i)

No export or import shall be made by any

person without obtaining an IEC number unless
specifically exempted.

(ii) Exempt
categories
and
corresponding
permanent IEC numbers are given in Para 2.07
of Handbook of Procedures.
(III) Only one IEC against one Permanent Account
Number (PAN)
Only one IEC is permitted against on Permanent
Account Number (PAN). If any PAN card holder has
more than one IEC, the extra IECs shall be disabled.
2.06 Mandatory documents for export/import of goods
from/into India
(a) Mandatory documents required for export of goods
from India:
1.
2.
3.

Bill of Lading/Airway Bill

Commercial Invoice cum Packing List*
Shipping Bill/Bill of Export

(b) Mandatory documents required for import of goods

into India
1.
2.
3.

Bill of Lading/Airway Bill

Commercial Invoice cum Packing List*
Bill of Entry
32

[Note: *(i) As per CBEC Circular No. 01/15-Customs

dated 12/01/2015. (ii) Separate Commercial Invoice
and Packing List would also be accepted.]
(c)

For export or import of specific goods or category of

goods, which are subject to any restrictions/policy
conditions or require NOC or product specific
compliances under any statute, the regulatory
authority concerned may notify additional documents
for purposes of export or import.

(d) In specific cases of export or import, the regulatory

authority concerned may electronically or in writing
seek additional documents or information, as deemed
necessary to ensure legal compliance.
(e) The above stipulations are effective from 1st April,
2015.
2.07 Principles of Restrictions
DGFT may, through a Notification, impose restrictions on
export and import, necessary for: (a)

Protection of public morals;

(b) Protection of human, animal or plant life or health;

(c) Protection of patents, trademarks and copyrights, and
the prevention of deceptive practices;
(d) Prevention of use of prison labour;
(e) Protection of national treasures of artistic, historic
or archaeological value;
(f) Conservation of exhaustible natural resources;
(g) Protection of trade of fissionable material or material
from which they are derived;
33

(h) Prevention of traffic in arms, ammunition and

implements of war.
2.08 Export/Import of Restricted goods/Services
Any goods /service, the export or import of which
Restricted may be exported or imported only
accordance with an Authorisation / Permission or
accordance with the procedure prescribed in
Notification / Public Notice issued in this regard.

is
in
in
a

2.09 Export of SCOMET Items

Export of Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials,
Equipment and Technologies (SCOMET), as indicated in
Appendix-3 of Schedule 2 of ITC(HS) Classification of Export
& Import Items, shall be governed by the specific provisions
of (i) Chapter IV A of the FT(D&R) Act, 1992 as amended
from time to time (ii) Sl. No. 4 & 5 of Table A and Appendix-3
of Schedule 2 of ITC(HS) Classification of Export & Import
Items (iii) Para 2.16, Para 2.17, Para 2.18 of FTP and (iv)
Para 2.73-2.82 of Hand Book of Procedures, in addition to
the other provisions of FTP and Handbook of Procedures
governing export authorizations.
2.10 Actual User Condition
Goods which are importable freely without any
Restriction may be imported by any person. However, if
such imports require an Authorisation, actual user alone
may import such good(s) unless actual user condition is
specifically dispensed with by DGFT.

34

2.11 Terms and Conditions of an Authorisation

Every Authorisation shall, inter alia, include such terms and
conditions as may be specified by RA along with the
following:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)

Description, quantity and value of goods;

Actual User condition (as defined in Chapter 9);
Export Obligation;
Minimum Value addition to be achieved;
Minimum export/import price;
Bank guarantee/ Legal undertaking / Bond with
Customs Authority/RA (as in para 2. 35 of FTP).
(g) Validity period of import/export as specified in
Handbook of Procedures.
2.12 Application Fee
Application for IEC/ Authorisation / License / Scrips must
be accompanied by application fees as indicated in the
Appendix 2K of Appendices and Aayat Niryat Forms.
2.13 Clearance of
Authorization

Goods

from

Customs

against

Goods already imported / shipped / arrived, in advance,

but not cleared from Customs may also be cleared against
an Authorisation issued subsequently. This facility will
however be not available to restricted items or items
traded through STEs.
2.14 Authorisation - not a Right
No person can claim an Authorisation as a right and DGFT
or RA shall have power to refuse to grant or renew the
same in accordance with provisions of FT (D&R) Act, Rules
made there under and FTP.
35

2.15 Penal action and placing of an entity in Denied

Entity List (DEL)
(a) If an Authorisation holder violates any condition of
such Authorisation or fails to fulfill export obligation, or
fails to deposit the requisite amount within the period
specified in demand notice issued by Department of
Revenue and /or DGFT, he shall be liable for action in
accordance with FT (D&R) Act, the Rules and Orders
made there under, FTP and any other law for time
being in force.
(b) With a view to raising ethical standards and for ease
of doing business, DGFT has provided for self
certification system under various schemes. In such
cases, applicants shall undertake self certification
with sufficient care and caution in filling up
information/particulars.
Any
information
/
particulars subsequently found untrue/ incorrect will
be liable for action under FTDR Act, 1992 and Rules
therein in addition to penal action under any other
Act/Order.
(c) A firm may be placed under Denied Entity List (DEL),
by the concerned RA, under the provision of Rule 7 of
Foreign Trade (Regulation) Rules, 1993. On issuance
of such an order, for reasons to be recorded in writing,
a firm may be refused grant or renewal of a license,
certificate, scrip or any instrument bestowing
financial or fiscal benefits. If a firm is placed under
DEL all new licences, scrips, certificates, instruments,
etc will be blocked from printing / issue / renewal.
(d) DEL orders may be placed in abeyance, for reasons to
be recorded in writing by the concerned RA. DEL
order can be placed in abeyance, for a period not more
than 60 days at a time.
36

(e) A firm's name can be removed from DEL, by the

concerned RA for reasons to be recorded in writing, if
the firm completes Export Obligation/ pays penalty/
fulfills requirement of Demand Notice(s) issued by the
RA/submits documents required by the RA.
Prohibitions (Country and Product Specific):
2.16 Prohibition on Import and Export of Arms and
related material from / to Iraq
Notwithstanding the policy on Arms and related materials in
Chapter 93 of ITC(HS), the import/export of Arms and
related material from/to Iraq is Prohibited. However,
export of Arms and related material to Government of Iraq
shall be permitted subject to No Objection Certificate from
the Department of Defence Production.
2.17 Prohibition on Direct or Indirect Import and Export
from / to Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea
Direct or indirect export and import of following items,
whether or not originating in Democratic Peoples Republic
of Korea (DPRK), to / from, DPRK is Prohibited:
All items, materials, equipment, goods and technology
including as set out in lists in documents
INFCIRC/254/Rev.11/Part 1 and INFCIRC/254/ Rev.8/Part
2 (IAEA documents), S/2012/947, S/2009/364 and
S/2006/853 (UN Security Council documents) and Annex III
to UN Security Council resolution 2094 (2013) which could
contribute to DPRKs nuclear-related, ballistic missilerelated or other weapons of mass destruction-related
programmes; Luxury goods, including but not limited to the
items specified in Annex IV to UN Security Council resolution
2094 (2013).
37

2.18 Prohibition on Direct or Indirect Import and

Export from/ to Iran
(a)

Direct or indirect export and import of all items,

materials, equipment, goods and technology which
could contribute to Irans enrichment-related,
reprocessing or heavy water related activities, or to
development of nuclear weapon delivery systems, as
mentioned below, whether or not originating in Iran,
to/from Iran is Prohibited:
(i)

Items listed in INFCIRC/254/Rev.9/Part 1 and

INFCIRC/254/Rev.7/Part 2 (IAEA Documents).

(ii) Items listed in S/2006/263 (UN Security Council

document).
(b) All the UN Security Council Resolutions/Documents
and IAEA Documents referred to above are available
on
the
UN
Security
Council
website
(www.un.org/Docs/sc)
and
IAEA
website
(www.iaea.org).
2.19 Prohibition on Import of Charcoal from Somalia
Direct or indirect import of charcoal is prohibited from
Somalia, irrespective of whether or not such charcoal has
originated in Somalia [United Nations Security Council
Resolution 2036 (2012)]. Importers of charcoal shall
submit a declaration to Customs that the consignment has
not originated in Somalia.

38

Import / Export Through State Trading Enterprises:

2.20 State Trading Enterprises (STEs)
(a)

State Trading Enterprises (STEs) are governmental and

non-governmental enterprises, including marketing
boards, which deal with goods for export and / or
import. Any good, import or export of which is
governed through exclusive or special privilege
granted to State Trading Enterprises (STE), may be
imported or exported by the concerned STE as per
conditions specified in ITC (HS). The list of STEs
notified by DGFT is in Appendix 2J.

(b) Such STE (s) shall make any such purchases or sales
involving imports or exports solely in accordance with
commercial considerations, including price, quality,
availability, marketability, transportation and other
conditions of purchase or sale in a non discriminatory
manner and shall afford enterprises of other countries
adequate opportunity, in accordance with customary
business practices, to compete for participation in such
purchases or sales.
(c)

DGFT may, however, grant an authorization to any

other person to import or export any of the goods
notified for exclusive trading through STEs.

Trade with Specific Countries:

2.21 Trade with neighbouring Countries
DGFT may issue instructions or frame schemes as may be
required to promote trade and strengthen economic ties
with neighbouring countries.

39

2.22 Transit Facility

Transit of goods through India from/ or to countries
adjacent to India shall be regulated in accordance with
bilateral treaties between India and those countries and will
be subject to such restrictions as may be specified by DGFT
in accordance with International Conventions.
2.23 Trade with
Agreement

Russia

under

Debt-Repayment

In case of trade with Russia under Debt Repayment

Agreement, DGFT may issue instructions or frame schemes
as may be required, and anything contained in FTP, in so far
as it is inconsistent with such instructions or schemes, shall
not apply.
Import of Specific Categories of Goods:
2.24 Import of Samples
Import of samples shall be governed by para 2.65 of
Handbook of Procedures.
2.25 Import of Gifts
Import of gifts shall be free where such goods are
otherwise freely importable under ITC (HS). In other cases,
such imports shall be permitted against an authorisation
issued by DGFT.
2.26 Passenger Baggage
(a)

Bona-fide household goods and personal effects may

be imported as part of passenger baggage as per limits,
terms and conditions thereof in Baggage Rules notified
by Ministry of Finance.
40

(b) Samples of such items that are otherwise freely

importable under FTP may also be imported as part of
passenger baggage without an Authorisation.
(c)

Exporters coming from abroad are also allowed to

import drawings, patterns, labels, price tags, buttons,
belts, trimming and embellishments required for
export, as part of their passenger baggage without an
Authorisation.

2.27 Re import of goods repaired abroad

Capital goods, equipments, components, parts and
accessories, whether imported or indigenous, except those
restricted under ITC (HS) may be sent abroad for repairs,
testing, quality improvement or upgradation or
standardization of technology and re-imported without an
Authorisation.
2.28 Import of goods used in projects abroad
Project contractors after completion of projects abroad,
may import without an Authorisation, goods including
capital goods used in the project, provided they have been
used for at least one year.
2.29 Import of Prototypes
Import of new / second hand prototypes / second hand
samples may be allowed on payment of duty without an
Authorisation to an Actual User (industrial) engaged in
production of or having industrial licence / letter of intent
for research in item for which prototype is sought for
product development or research, as the case may be, upon a
self- declaration to that effect, to satisfaction of
customs authorities
41

2.30 Import through courier service

Imports through a registered courier service are permitted
as per Notifications issued by DoR. However, importability /
exportability of such items shall be regulated in accordance
with this FTP/ ITC(HS).
Import Policy for Second Hand Goods :
2.31 Second Hand Goods
S.
No.
I
(a)

Categories
of Import
Second
Hand Policy
Goods
Second Hand Capital Goods
i. Personal
Restricted
computers/
laptops
including their
refurbished / reconditioned
spares
ii. Photocopier
machines/
Digital
multifunction
Print & Copying
Machines
iii. Air
conditioners
iv. Diesel
generating sets.

42

Conditions, if any

Importable against
authorization

(b)

Refurbished / Free
re-conditioned
spares of Capital
Goods

(c)

All other
hand
goods
than (a)
above}

second Free
capital
{other
& (b)

II

Second
Goods
than
goods

Hand Restricted
other
capital

Subject
to
production
of
Chartered Engineer
certificate to the
effect that such
spares have at least
80% residual life of
original spare.

Importable against
Authorization

Import Policy for Metallic Waste and Scraps :

2. 32 Import of Metallic waste and Scrap
(a)

Import of any form of metallic waste, scrap will be

subject to the condition that it will not contain
hazardous, toxic waste, radioactive contaminated
waste/scrap containing radioactive material, any types
of arms, ammunition, mines, shells, live or used
cartridge or any other explosive material in any form
either used or otherwise as detailed in para 2.54 of
Handbook of Procedures.

(b) The types of metallic waste and scrap which can be

imported freely and the procedure of import in the
shredded form; unshredded compressed and loose
43

form, is laid down in para 2.54 of Handbook of

Procedures.
2.33 Removal of Scrap/waste from SEZ
A SEZ unit/Developer/ Co-developer may be allowed to
dispose of in DTA any waste or scrap, including any form of
metallic waste and scrap, generated during manufacturing
or processing activity, without an authorization, on payment
of applicable Customs Duty.
Other Provisions Related to Imports:
2.34 Import under Lease Financing
No specific permission of RA is required for lease financed
capital goods.
2.35 Execution of Legal Undertaking (LUT) / Bank
Guarantee (BG)
(a)

Wherever any duty free import is allowed or where

otherwise specifically stated, importer shall execute,
Legal Undertaking (LUT) / Bank Guarantee (BG) /
Bond with the Customs Authority, as prescribed,
before clearance of goods.

(b) In case of indigenous sourcing, Authorisation holder

shall furnish LUT/BG/Bond to RA concerned before
sourcing material from indigenous supplier/
nominated agency as prescribed in Chapter 2 of
Handbook of Procedures.
2.36 Private/Public Bonded Warehouses for Imports
(a) Private/ Public bonded warehouses may be set up in
DTA as per terms and conditions of notification issued
by DoR. Any person may import goods except
44

prohibited items, arms and ammunition, hazardous

waste and chemicals and warehouse them in such
bonded warehouses.
(b) Such goods may be cleared for home consumption in
accordance with provisions of FTP and against
Authorisation, wherever required. Customs duty as
applicable shall be paid at the time of clearance of
such goods.
(c)

If such goods are not cleared for home consumption

within a period of one year or such extended period
as the customs authorities may permit, importer of
such goods shall re-export the goods.

2.37 Special provision for Hides Skins and semi-finished

goods
Hides, Skins and semi-finished leather may be imported in
the Public Bonded warehouse for the purpose of DTA sale
and the unsold items thereof can be re-exported from
such bonded warehouses at 50% of the applicable export
duty. However, this facility shall not be allowed for import
under Private Bonded warehouse.
2.38 Sale on High Seas
Sale of goods on high seas for import into India may
be made subject to FTP or any other law in force.
Exports:
2.39 Free Exports
All goods may be exported without any restriction except
to the extent that such exports are regulated by ITC (HS) or
any other provision of FTP or any other law for the time
being in force. DGFT may, however, specify through a
45

public notice such terms and conditions according to which

any goods, not included in ITC (HS), may be exported
without an Authorisation.
2.40 Exemption / Remission of Service Tax in DTA on
goods & services exported
For all goods and services which are exported from units
in DTA and units in EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP, exemption /
remission of service tax levied and related to exports,
shall be allowed, as per prescribed procedure in Chapter 4 of
Handbook of Procedures.
2.41 Benefits for Supporting Manufacturers
For any benefit to accrue to the supporting manufacturer (as
defined in para 9.58 of FTP), the names of both supporting
manufacturer as well as the merchant exporter must figure
in the concerned export documents, especially in ARE-1 /
ARE-3 / Shipping Bill / Bill of Export/ Airway Bill.
2.42 Third Party Exports
Third party exports (except Deemed Export) as defined in
Chapter 9 shall be allowed under FTP. In such cases, export
documents such as shipping bills shall indicate name of both
manufacturing exporter/manufacturer and third party
exporter(s). Bank Realisation Certificate (BRC), export order
and invoice should be in the name of third party exporter.
Exports of Specific Categories
2.43 Export of Samples
Export of Samples and Free of charge goods shall be
governed by provisions given in para 2.66 of Handbook of
Procedures.
46

2.44 Export of Gifts

Goods including edible items, of value not exceeding
Rs.5,00,000/- in a licensing year, may be exported as a
gift. However, items mentioned as restricted for exports in
ITC (HS) shall not be exported as a gift, without an
Authorisation.
2.45 Export of Passenger Baggage
(a)

Bona-fide personal baggage may be exported either

along with passenger or, if unaccompanied, within one
year before or after passenger's departure from India.
However, items mentioned as restricted in ITC (HS)
shall require an Authorisation. Government of India
officials proceeding abroad on official postings shall,
however, be permitted to carry along with their
personal baggage, food items (free, restricted or
prohibited) strictly for their personal consumption.

(b) Samples of such items that are otherwise freely

exportable under FTP may also be exported as part of
passenger baggage without an Authorisation.
2.46 Import for export
I.

(a) Goods imported, in accordance with FTP, may be

exported in same or substantially the same form
without an Authorisation provided that item to be
imported or exported is not restricted for import or
export in ITC (HS).
(b) Goods, including capital goods (both new and
second hand), may be imported for export provided:

47

(i) Importer clears goods under Customs Bond;

(ii) Goods are freely exportable, i.e., are not
Restricted/ Prohibited/ subject to exclusive
trading through State Trading Enterprises or any
conditionality/ requirement as may be required
under Schedule 2 Export Policy of the ITC (HS);
(iii) Export is against freely Convertible currency.
(c)

Goods in (b) above will include Restricted goods for

import (except Prohibited items).

(d) Capital goods, which are freely importable and freely

exportable, may be imported for export on execution
of LUT/BG with Customs Authority.
II.

(a) Goods imported against payment in freely

convertible currency would be permitted for export
only against payment in freely convertible currency,
unless otherwise notified by DGFT.
(b) Export of such goods to the notified countries
(presently only Iran) would be permitted against
payment in Indian Rupees, subject to minimum 15%
value addition.
(c) However, re-export of food, medicine and medical
equipments, namely, items covered under ITC(HS)
Chapters 2 to 4, 7 to 11, 15 to 21, 23, 30 and items
under headings 9018, 9019, 9020, 9021 & 9022 of
Chapter-90 of ITC(HS) will not be subject to minimum
value addition requirement for export to Iran. Exports
of these items to Iran shall, however, be subject to all
other conditions of FTP 2015-20 and ITC (HS) 2012, as
applicable. Birds eggs covered under ITC (HS) 0407 &
0408 and Rice covered under ITC (HS) 1006 are not
covered under this dispensation, as at II (a) above.
48

(d) Exports under this dispensation, as at II(b) and (c)

above shall not be eligible for any export incentives.
2.47 Export through Courier Service
Exports through a registered courier service are permitted
as per Notification issued by DoR. However, importability /
exportability of such items shall be regulated in accordance
with FTP/ ITC (HS).
2.48 Export of Replacement Goods
Goods or parts thereof on being exported and found
defective/damaged or otherwise unfit for use may be
replaced free of charge by the exporter and such goods shall
be allowed clearance by Customs authorities, provided
that replacement goods are not mentioned as restricted
items for exports in ITC (HS).
2.49 Export of Repaired Goods
(i)

Goods or parts thereof, except restricted under ITC

(HS), on being exported and found defective, damaged
or otherwise unfit for use may be imported for repair
and subsequent re-export. Such goods shall be allowed
clearance without an Authorisation and in accordance
with customs notification.

(ii) However, re-export of such defective parts/spares by

the Companies/firms and Original Equipment
Manufacturers shall not be mandatory if they are
imported exclusively for undertaking root cause
analysis, testing and evaluation purpose.
2.50 Export of Spares
Warranty spares (whether indigenous or imported) of
plant, equipment, machinery, automobiles or any other
49

goods, [except those restricted under ITC (HS)] may be

exported along with main equipment or subsequently but
within contracted warranty period of such goods, subject to
approval of RBI.
2.51 Private Bonded Warehouses for Exports
(a) Private bonded warehouses exclusively for exports may
be set up in DTA as per terms and conditions of
notifications issued by Department of Revenue.
(b) Such warehouses shall be entitled to procure goods
from domestic manufacturers without payment of
duty. Supplies made by a domestic supplier to such
notified warehouses shall be treated as physical
exports provided payments are made in free foreign
exchange.
Payments and Receipts on Imports / Exports
2.52 Denomination of Export Contracts
(a) All export contracts and invoices shall be
denominated either in freely convertible currency or
Indian rupees but export proceeds shall be realized in
freely convertible currency.
(b) However, export proceeds against specific exports
may also be realized in rupees, provided it is through
a freely convertible Vostro account of a non resident
bank situated in any country other than a member
country of Asian Clearing Union (ACU) or Nepal or
Bhutan. Additionally, rupee payment through Vostro
account must be against payment in free foreign
currency by buyer in his non-resident bank account.
Free foreign exchange remitted by buyer to his nonresident bank (after deducting bank service charges)
50

on account of this transaction would be taken as

export realization under export promotion schemes of
FTP.
(c) Contracts (for which payments are received through
Asian Clearing Union (ACU) shall be denominated in
ACU Dollar. Central Government may relax provisions
of this paragraph in appropriate cases.
Export
contracts and invoices can be denominated in Indian
rupees against EXIM Bank/Government of India line
of credit.
2.53 Export to Iran Realisations in Indian Rupees to be
eligible for FTP benefits / incentives
Notwithstanding the provisions contained in para 2.52 (a)
above, export proceeds realized in Indian Rupees against
exports to Iran are permitted to avail exports benefits /
incentives under the Foreign Trade Policy (2015-20), at
par with export proceeds realized in freely convertible
currency.
2.54 Non-Realisation of Export Proceeds
(a) If an exporter fails to realize export proceeds within
time specified by RBI, he shall, without prejudice to
any liability or penalty under any law in force, be liable
to return all benefits / incentives availed against such
exports and action in accordance with provisions of FT
(D&R) Act, Rules and Orders made there under and
FTP.
(b) In case an Exporter is unable to realise the export
proceeds for reasons beyond his control (forcemajeure), he may approach RBI for writing off the
unrealised amount as per procedure laid down in para
2.87 of Handbook of Procedures.
51

(c)

The payment realized through insurance cover, would

be eligible for benefits under FTP. The procedure to be
followed in such cases is laid down in para 2.85 of
Handbook of Procedures.

Export Promotion Councils

2.55 Recognition of Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) to
function as Registering Authority for issue of RCMC.
(a) Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) are organizations of
exporters, set up with the objective to promote and
develop Indian exports. Each Council is responsible for
promotion of a particular group of products/
projects/services as given in Appendix 2T of AANF.
(b) EPCs are also eligible to function as Registering
Authorities to issue Registration-cum-Membership
Certificate (RCMC) to its members. The criteria for
EPCs to be recognized as Registering Authorities for
issue of RCMC to its members are detailed in para 2.92
of the Handbook of Procedures.
2.56 Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC)
Any person, applying for:
(a) An Authorisation to import/export (except items)
listed as Restricted items in ITC (HS)
Or
(b) Any other benefit or concession under FTP shall be
required to furnish or upload on DGFTs website in the
Importer Exporter Profile, the RCMC granted by
competent authority in accordance with procedure
specified in HBP, unless specifically exempted under
FTP. Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices
52

(CRES) issued by Spices Board shall be treated as

Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) for
the purposes under this Policy.
Policy Interpretation and Relaxations:
2.57 Interpretation of Policy
(a) The decision of DGFT shall be final and binding on all
matters relating to interpretation of Policy, or
provision in Handbook of Procedures, Appendices and
Aayat Niryat Forms or classification of any item for
import / export in the ITC (HS).
(b) A Policy Interpretation Committee (PIC) may be
constituted to aid and advise DGFT. The composition of
the PIC would be as follows:
(i) DGFT: Chairman
(ii) All Additional DGFTs in Headquarters : Members
(iii) All Joint DGFTs in Headquarters looking after
Policy matters : Members
(iv) Joint DGFT (PRC/PIC) : Member Secretary
(v) Any other person / representative of the
concerned Ministry / Department, to be co-opted
by the Chairman.
2.58 Exemption from Policy/ Procedures
DGFT may in public interest pass such orders or grant such
exemption, relaxation or relief, as he may deem fit and
proper, on grounds of genuine hardship and adverse impact
on trade to any person or class or category of persons from
any provision of FTP or any procedure. While granting
such exemption, DGFT may impose such conditions as he
may deem fit after consulting the Committees as under:
53

Sl.
No.

Description

Committee

(a)

Fixation / modification
of product norms

Norms Committees

(b)

Nexus with Capital Goods

(CG) and benefits under
EPCG Committee
under all schemes
EPCG Schemes

(c)

All other issues

Policy
Relaxation
Committee (PRC)

2.59 Personal Hearing by DGFT for Grievance Redressal

(a) Government is committed to easy and speedy
redressal of grievances from Trade and Industry.
Paragraph 2.58 of FTP provides for relaxation of Policy
and Procedures on grounds of genuine hardship and
adverse impact on trade. DGFT may consider request
for relaxation after consulting concerned Norms
Committee, EPCG Committee or Policy Relaxation
Committee (PRC).
(b) As a last resort to redress grievances of Importers/
Exporters, DGFT may provide an opportunity for
Personal Hearing (PH) before PRC. For such PH, a
specific request along with the prescribed application
fee as per Appendix-2K has to be made to DG, if
following conditions are satisfied:
(i)

If an importer/exporter is aggrieved by any

decision taken by Policy Relaxation Committee
(PRC), or a decision/order by any authority in the
Directorate General of Foreign Trade and
54

(ii) A request for review before the said Committee or

Authority has been filed.
(iii) Such Committee or Authority has considered the
request for a review, and
(iv) The exporter / importer continues to be
aggrieved.
(c) The decision conveyed in pursuance to the personal
hearing shall be final and binding.
(d) The opportunity for Personal Hearing will not apply to
a decision/order made in any proceeding, including an
adjudication proceeding, whether at the original stage
or at the appellate stage, under the relevant provisions
of FT (D&R) Act, 1992, as amended from time to time.
2.60 Regularization of EO default and settlement of
Customs duty and interest through Settlement
Commission
With a view to providing assistance to
firms who have
defaulted under FTP for reasons beyond their control as
also facilitating merger, acquisition and rehabilitation of
sick units, it has been decided to empower Settlement
Commission in Central Board of Excise and Customs to
decide such cases also with effect from 01.04.2005.
Self Certification of Originating Goods
2.61 Approved Exporter Scheme for Self Certification of
Certificate of Origin.
(i)

Currently, Certificates of Origin under various

Preferential Trade Agreements [PTA], Free Trade
Agreements
[FTAs],
Comprehensive
Economic
Cooperation Agreements [CECA] and Comprehensive
Economic Partnerships Agreements [CEPA] are issued
55

by designated agencies as per Appendix 2B of

Appendices and Aayat and Niryat Forms. A new
optional system of self certification is being introduced
with a view to reducing transaction cost.
(ii) The Manufacturers who are also Status Holders shall be
eligible for Approved Exporter Scheme. Approved
Exporters will be entitled to self-certify their
manufactured goods as originating from India with a
view to qualifying for preferential treatment under
different PTAs/FTAs/CECAs/CEPAs which are in
operation. Self-certification will be permitted only for
the goods that are manufactured as per the Industrial
Entrepreneurials Memorandum (IEM) / Industrial
Licence (IL)/Letter of Intent (LOI) issued to
manufacturers.
(iii) Status Holders will be recognized by DGFT as Approved
Exporters for self-certification based on availability of
required infrastructure, capacity and trained
manpower as per the details in Para 2.109 of Handbook
of Procedures 2015-20 read with Appendix 2F of
Appendices & Aayaat Niryaat Forms.
(iv) The details of the Scheme, along with the penalty
provisions, are provided in Appendix 2F of Appendices
and Aayaat Niryaat Forms and will come into effect
only when India incorporates the scheme into a specific
agreement with its partner/s and the same is
appropriately notified by DGFT.

56

CHAPTER 3
EXPORTS FROM INDIA SCHEMES
3.00 Objective
The objective of schemes under this chapter is to provide
rewards to exporters to offset infrastructural inefficiencies
and associated costs involved and to provide exporters a
level playing field.
3.01 Exports from India Schemes
There shall be following two schemes for exports of
Merchandise and Services respectively:
(i)

Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS).

(ii) Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS).

3.02 Nature of Rewards
Duty Credit Scrips shall be granted as rewards under MEIS
and SEIS. The Duty Credit Scrips and goods imported /
domestically procured against them shall be freely
transferable. The Duty Credit Scrips can be used for :
(i)

Payment of Customs Duties for import of inputs or

goods, except items listed in Appendix 3A.

(ii) Payment of excise duties on domestic procurement of

inputs or goods, including capital goods as per DoR
notification.
(iii) Payment of service tax on procurement of services as
per DoR notification.

57

(iv) Payment of Customs Duty and fee as per paragraph

3.18 of this Policy.
Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS)
3.03 Objective
Objective of Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS)
is to offset infrastructural inefficiencies and associated costs
involved in export of goods/products, which are
produced/manufactured in India, especially those having
high export intensity, employment potential and thereby
enhancing Indias export competitiveness.
3.04 Entitlement under MEIS
Exports of notified goods/products with ITC[HS] code, to
notified markets as listed in Appendix 3B, shall be rewarded
under MEIS. Appendix 3B also lists the rate(s) of rewards on
various notified products [ITC (HS) code wise]. The basis of
calculation of reward would be on realised FOB value of
exports in free foreign exchange, or on FOB value of exports
as given in the Shipping Bills in free foreign exchange,
whichever is less, unless otherwise specified.
3.05 Export of goods through courier or foreign post
offices using e-Commerce
(i)

Exports of goods through courier or foreign post office

using e-commerce, as notified in Appendix 3C, of FOB
value upto Rs. 25000 per consignment shall be entitled
for rewards under MEIS.

(ii) If the value of exports using e-commerce platform is

more than Rs 25000 per consignment then MEIS
reward would be limited to FOB value of Rs.25000
only.
58

(iii) Such goods can be exported in manual mode through

Foreign Post Offices at New Delhi, Mumbai and
Chennai.
(iv) Export of such goods under Courier Regulations shall
be allowed manually on pilot basis through Airports at
Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai as per appropriate
amendments in regulations to be made by Department
of Revenue. Department of Revenue shall fast track the
implementation of EDI mode at courier terminals.
3.06 Ineligible categories under MEIS
The following exports categories /sectors shall be ineligible
for Duty Credit Scrip entitlement under MEIS
(i)

EOUs / EHTPs / BTPs/ STPs who are availing direct tax

benefits / exemption.
(ii) Supplies made from DTA units to SEZ units
(iii) Export of imported goods covered under paragraph
2.46 of FTP;
(iv) Exports through trans-shipment, meaning thereby
exports that are originating in third country but transshipped through India;
(v) Deemed Exports;
(vi) SEZ/EOU/EHTP/BPT/FTWZ
products
exported
through DTA units;
(vii) Items, which are restricted or prohibited for export
under Schedule-2 of Export Policy in ITC (HS), unless
specifically notified in Appendix 3B.
(viii)Service Export.
(ix) Red sanders and beach sand.
(x) Export products which are subject to Minimum export
price or export duty.
(xi) Diamond Gold, Silver, Platinum, other precious metal in
any form including plain and studded jewellery and
other precious and semi-precious stones.
59

(xii) Ores and concentrates of all types and in all formations.

(xiii) Cereals of all types.
(xiv) Sugar of all types and all forms.
(xv) Crude / petroleum oil and crude / primary and base
products of all types and all formulations.
(xvi) Export of milk and milk products.
(xvii)Export of Meat and Meat Products.
(xviii)Products wherein precious metal/diamond are used
or Articles which are studded with precious stones.
(xix) Exports made by units in FTWZ.
Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS)
3.07 Objective
Objective of Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS) is to
encourage export of notified Services from India.
3.08 Eligibility
(a)

Service Providers of notified services, located in India,

shall be rewarded under SEIS, subject to conditions as
may be notified. Only Services rendered in the manner
as per Para 9.51(i) and Para 9.51(ii) of this policy shall
be eligible. The notified services and rates of rewards
are listed in Appendix 3D.

(b) Such service provider should have minimum net free

foreign exchange earnings of US$15,000 in preceding
financial year to be eligible for Duty Credit Scrip. For
Individual Service Providers and sole proprietorship,
such minimum net free foreign exchange earnings
criteria would be US$10,000 in preceding financial
year.

60

(c)

Payment in Indian Rupees for service charges earned

on specified services, shall be treated as receipt in
deemed foreign exchange as per guidelines of Reserve
Bank of India. The list of such services is indicated in
Appendix 3E.

(d) Net Foreign exchange earnings for the scheme are

defined as under:
Net Foreign Exchange = Gross Earnings of Foreign
Exchange minus Total expenses / payment /
remittances of Foreign Exchange by the IEC holder,
relating to service sector in the Financial year.
(e)

If the IEC holder is a manufacturer of goods as well as

service provider, then the foreign exchange earnings
and Total expenses / payment / remittances shall be
taken into account for service sector only.

(f)

In order to claim reward under the scheme, Service

provider shall have to have an active IEC at the time of
rendering such services for which rewards are claimed.

3.09 Ineligible categories under SEIS

(1) Foreign exchange remittances other than those earned
for rendering of notified services would not be counted
for entitlement. Thus,
other sources of foreign
exchange earnings such as equity or debt participation,
donations, receipts of repayment of loans etc. and any
other inflow of foreign exchange, unrelated
to
rendering of service, would be ineligible.
(2) Following shall not be taken into account for
calculation of entitlement under the scheme
(a)

Foreign Exchange remittances:

61

I.

Related to Financial Services Sector

(i) Raising of all types of foreign currency Loans;

(ii) Export proceeds realization of clients;
(iii) Issuance of Foreign Equity through ADRs / GDRs or
other similar instruments;
(iv) Issuance of foreign currency Bonds;
(v) Sale of securities and other financial instruments;
(vi) Other receivables not connected with services
rendered by financial institutions; and
II.

Earned through contract/regular employment abroad

(e.g. labour remittances);

(b) Payments for services received from EEFC Account;

(c) Foreign exchange turnover by Healthcare Institutions
like equity participation, donations etc.
(d) Foreign exchange turnover by Educational Institutions
like equity participation, donations etc.
(e) Export turnover relating to services of units operating
under SEZ / EOU / EHTP / STPI / BTP Schemes or
supplies of services made to such units;
(f) Clubbing of turnover of services rendered by SEZ /
EOU /EHTP / STPI / BTP units with turnover of DTA
Service Providers;
(g) Exports of Goods.
(h) Foreign Exchange earnings for services provided by
Airlines, Shipping lines service providers plying from
any foreign country X to any foreign country Y routes
not touching India at all.
(i) Service providers in Telecom Sector.

62

3.10 Entitlement under SEIS

Service Providers of eligible services shall be entitled to
Duty Credit Scrip at notified rates (as given in Appendix 3D)
on net foreign exchange earned.
3.11 Remittances through Credit
instruments for MEIS and SEIS

Card

and

other

Free Foreign Exchange earned through international credit

cards and other instruments, as permitted by RBI shall also
be taken into account for computation of value of exports.
3.12 Effective date of schemes (MEIS and SEIS)
The schemes shall come into force with effect from the date
of notification of this Policy, i.e. the rewards under
MEIS/SEIS shall be admissible for exports made/services
rendered on or after the date of notification of this Policy.
3.13 Special Provisions
(a)

Government reserves the right in public interest, to

specify export products or services or markets, which
shall not be eligible for computation of entitlement of
duty credit scrip.

(b) Government reserves the right to impose restriction /

change the rate/ceiling on Duty Credit Scrip under this
chapter.
(c)

Government may also notify goods in Appendix 3A

which shall not be allowed for debiting through Duty
Credit Scrips in case of import.

63

(d) Government may prescribe value cap of any kind for a

product(s) or limit total reward per IEC holder under
this chapter at any time.
Common Provisions for Exports from India Schemes
(MEIS and SEIS)
3.14 Transitional Arrangement
For the goods exported or services rendered upto the date of
notification of this Policy, which were otherwise eligible for
issuance of scrips under erstwhile Chapter 3 of the earlier
Foreign Trade Policy(ies) and scrip is applied / issued on
or after notification of this Policy against such export of
goods or services rendered, the then prevailing policy and
procedure regarding eligibility, entitlement, transferability,
usage of scrip and any other condition in force at the time of
export of goods or rendering of the services, shall be
applicable to such scrips.
3.15 CENVAT/ Drawback
Additional Customs duty/excise duty/Service Tax paid in
cash or through debit under Duty Credit scrip shall be
adjusted as CENVAT Credit or Duty Drawback as per DoR
rules or notifications. Basic Custom duty paid in cash or
through debit under Duty Credit scrip shall be adjusted for
Duty Drawback as per DoR rules or notifications.
3.16 Import under lease financing
Utilization of Duty Credit Scrip shall be permitted for
payment of duty in case of import of capital goods under
lease financing in terms of provision in paragraph 2.34 of
FTP.
64

3.17 Transfer of export performance

(a)

Transfer of export performance from one IEC holder to

another IEC holder shall not be permitted. Thus, a
shipping bill containing name of applicant shall be
counted in export performance / turnover of applicant
only if export proceeds from overseas are realized in
applicants bank account and this shall be evidenced
from e - BRC / FIRC.

(b) However, MEIS, rewards can be claimed either by the

supporting manufacturer (along with disclaimer from
the company / firm who has realized the foreign
exchange directly from overseas) or by the company/
firm who has realized the foreign exchange directly
from overseas.
3.18 Facility of payment of custom duties in case of E.O.
defaults and fee through duty credit scrips
(a)

Duty Credit Scrip can be utilised / debited for payment

of Custom Duties in case of EO defaults for
Authorizations issued under Chapters 4 and 5 of this
Policy. Such utilization /usage shall be in respect of
those goods which are permitted to be imported under
the respective reward schemes. However, penalty /
interest shall be required to be paid in cash.

(b) Duty credit scrips can also be used for payment of

composition fee under FTP, for payment of application
fee under FTP, if any and for payment of value shortfall
in EO under para 4.49 of HBP 2015-20.
3.19 Risk Management System
(a)

A Risk Management System shall be in operation

whereby every month Computer system in DGFT
65

Headquarters, on random basis, will select 10% of

cases for each RA where scrips have already been
issued, under each scheme. RA in turn may call for
original documents in all such selected cases for
further examination in detail. In case any discrepancy
and/ or over claim is found on such examination, the
applicant shall be under obligation to rectify such
discrepancy and/or refund over claim in cash with
interest at the rate prescribed under section 28 A A of
the Customs Act 1962, from the date of issue of scrip in
the relevant Head of Account of Customs within one
month. The original holder of scrip, however, may
refund such over claim by surrendering the same scrip
whether partially utilized or fully unutilized, without
interest.
(b) Regional Authority may ask for original proof of
landing certificate, annexures attached to ANFs or any
other document, which has been uploaded digitally at
any time within three years from the date of issue of
scrip. Failure to submit such documents in original
would make applicant liable to refund the reward
granted along with interest at the rate prescribed
under section 28 A A of the Customs Act 1962, from the
date of issuance of scrip. It would be the responsibility
of applicant to maintain such documents, certificate
etc. for a period of at least three years from the date of
issuance of scrips.
3.20 Status Holder
(a)

Status Holders are business leaders who have excelled

in international trade and have successfully
contributed to countrys foreign trade. Status Holders
are expected to not only contribute towards Indias
exports but also provide guidance and handholding to
new entrepreneurs.
66

(b) All exporters of goods, services and technology having

an import-export code (IEC) number shall be eligible
for recognition as a status holder. Status recognition
depends upon export performance. An applicant shall
be categorized as status holder upon achieving export
performance during current and previous two financial
years, as indicated in paragraph 3.21 of Foreign Trade
Policy. The export performance will be counted on the
basis of FOB value of export earnings in free foreign
exchange.
(c)

For deemed export, FOR value of exports in Indian

Rupees shall be converted in US$ at the exchange rate
notified by CBEC, as applicable on 1st April of each
Financial Year.

(d) For granting status, export performance is necessary in

at least two out of three years.
3.21 Status Category

Status Category
One Star Export House
Two Star Export House
Three Star Export House
Four Star Export House
Five Star Export House

Export Performance
FOB / FOR (as converted)
Value
(in US $ million)
3
25
100
500
2000

3.22 Grant of double weightage

(a)

The exports by IEC holders under the following

categories shall be granted double weightage for
calculation of export performance for grant of status.
67

(i)

Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) as

defined in Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
Development (MSMED) Act 2006.
(ii) Manufacturing units having ISO/BIS.
(iii) Units located in North Eastern States including
Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir.
(iv) Units located in Agri Export Zones.
(b) Double Weightage shall be available for grant of One
Star Export House Status category only. Such benefit of
double weightage shall not be admissible for grant of
status recognition of other categories namely Two Star
Export House, Three Star Export House, Four Star
export House and Five Star Export House.
(c)

A shipment can get double weightage only once in any

one of above categories.

3.23 Other conditions for grant of status

(a)

Export performance of one IEC holder shall not be

permitted to be transferred to another IEC holder.
Hence, calculation of exports performance based on
disclaimer shall not be allowed.

(b) Exports made on re-export basis shall not be counted

for recognition.
(c)

Export of items under authorization, including SCOMET

items, would be included for calculation of export
performance.

3.24 Privileges of Status Holders

A Status Holder shall be eligible for privileges as under:
68

(a)

Authorisation and Customs Clearances for both

imports and exports may be granted on selfdeclaration basis;

(b) Input-Output norms may be fixed on priority within 60

days by the Norms Committee;
(c)

Exemption from furnishing of Bank Guarantee for

Schemes under FTP, unless specified otherwise
anywhere in FTP or HBP;

(d) Exemption from compulsory negotiation of documents

through banks. Remittance / receipts, however, would
be received through banking channels;
(e)

Two star and above Export houses shall be permitted

to establish Export Warehouses as per Department of
Revenue guidelines.

(f)

Three Star and above Export House shall be entitled to

get benefit of Accredited Clients Programme (ACP) as
per
the
guidelines
of
CBEC
(website:
http://cbec.gov.in).

(g) The status holders would be entitled to preferential

treatment and priority in handling of their
consignments by the concerned agencies.
(h) Manufacturers who are also status holders (Three
Star/Four Star/Five Star) will be enabled to self-certify
their manufactured goods (as per their IEM/IL/LOI) as
originating from India with a view to qualify for
preferential treatment under different preferential
trading agreements (PTA), Free Trade Agreements
(FTAs), Comprehensive Economic Cooperation
Agreements (CECA) and Comprehensive Economic
69

Partnership Agreements (CEPA). Subsequently, the

scheme may be extended to remaining Status Holders.
(i)

Manufacturer exporters who are also Status Holders

shall be eligible to self-certify their goods as originating
from India as per para 2.108 (d) of Hand Book of
Procedures.

(j)

Status holders shall be entitled to export freely

exportable items on free of cost basis for export
promotion subject to an annual limit of Rs 10 lakh or
2% of average annual export realization during
preceding three licencing years whichever is higher.

70

CHAPTER 4
DUTY EXEMPTION / REMISSION SCHEMES
4.00 Objective
Schemes under this Chapter enable duty free import of
inputs for export production, including replenishment of
input or duty remission.
4.01 Schemes
(a)

Duty Exemption Schemes.

The Duty Exemption schemes consist of the following:
(i)

Advance Authorisation (AA) (which will

include Advance Authorisation for Annual
Requirement).

(ii)

Duty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA).

(b) Duty Remission Scheme.

Duty Drawback (DBK) Scheme, administered by
Department of Revenue.
4.02 Applicability of Policy & Procedures
Authorisation under this Chapter shall be issued in
accordance with the Policy and Procedures in force on the
date of issue of the Authorisation.

71

4.03 Advance Authorisation

(a)

Advance Authorisation is issued to allow duty free

import of input, which is physically incorporated in
export product (making normal allowance for
wastage). In addition, fuel, oil, catalyst which is
consumed / utilised in the process of production of
export product, may also be allowed.

(b) Advance Authorisation is issued for inputs in relation

to resultant product, on the following basis:
(i)

As per Standard Input Output Norms (SION)

notified (available in Hand Book of Procedures);
OR
(ii) On the basis of self declaration as per paragraph
4.07 of Handbook of Procedures.
4.04 Advance Authorisation for Spices
Duty free import of spices covered under Chapter-9 of
ITC (HS) shall be permitted only for activities like crushing
/ grinding
/ sterilization / manufacture of oils o r
oleoresins. Authorisation shall not be available for simply
cleaning, grading, re-packing etc.
4.05 Eligible Applicant / Export / Supply
(a) Advance Authorisation can be issued either to a
manufacturer exporter or merchant exporter tied to
supporting manufacturer.
(b) Advance Authorisation for pharmaceutical products
manufactured through Non-Infringing (NI) process (as
indicated in paragraph 4.18 of Handbook of
Procedures) shall be issued to manufacturer exporter
only.
72

(c)

Advance Authorisation shall be issued for:

(i)

Physical export (including export to SEZ);

(ii) Intermediate supply; and/or

(iii) Supply of goods to the categories mentioned in
paragraph 7.02 (b), (c), (e), (f), (g) and (h) of this
FTP.
(iv) Supply of stores on board of foreign going vessel
/ aircraft, subject to condition that there is
specific Standard Input Output Norms in respect
of item supplied.
4.06 Advance Authorisation for Annual Requirement
(i)

Advance Authorisation for Annual Requirement shall

only be issued for items notified in Standard Input
Output Norms (SION), and it shall not be available in
case of adhoc norms under paragraph 4.03 (b)(ii) of
FTP.

(ii) Advance Authorisation for Annual Requirement shall

also not be available in respect of SION where any item
of input appears in Appendix 4-J.
4.07 Eligibility
Condition
to
obtain
Authorisation for Annual Requirement
(i)

Advance

Exporters having past export performance (in at least

preceding two financial years) shall be entitled for
Advance Authorisation for Annual requirement.

(ii) Entitlement in terms of CIF value of imports shall be

upto 300% of the FOB value of physical export and / or
FOR value of deemed export in preceding financial
year or Rs 1 crore, whichever is higher.
73

4.08 Value Addition

Value Addition for the purpose of this Chapter (except for
Gems and Jewellery sector for which value addition is
prescribed in paragraph 4.38 of FTP) shall be:A-B
VA = ----------- x 100, where
B
A = FOB value of export realized /
received.

FOR value of supply

B = CIF value of inputs covered by Authorisation, plus

value of any other input used on which benefit of DBK is
claimed or intended to be claimed.
4.09 Minimum Value Addition
(i)

Minimum value addition required to be achieved

under Advance Authorisation is 15%.

(ii) Export Products where value addition could be less

than 15% are given in Appendix 4D.
(iii) For physical exports for which payments are not
received in freely convertible currency, value addition
shall be as specified in Appendix 4C.
(iv) Minimum value addition for Gems & Jewellery Sector is
given in paragraph 4.61 of Handbook of Procedures.
(v) In case of Tea, minimum value addition shall be 50%.

74

4.10 Import of Mandatory Spares

Import of mandatory spares which are required to be
exported / supplied with the resultant product shall be
permitted duty free to the extent of 10% of CIF value of
Authorisation.
4.11 Ineligible categories of import on Self Declaration
basis
(a)

Import of following products shall not be permissible

on self-declaration basis:
(i)

All vegetable / edible oils classified under

Chapter-15 and all types of oilseeds classified
under Chapter-12 of ITC (HS) book;
(ii) All types of cereals classified under Chapter10 of
ITC (HS) book;
(iii) All Spices other than light black pepper (light
berries) having a basic customs duty of more than
30%, classified under Chapter-9 and 12 of ITC
(HS) book;
(iv) All types of fruits/ vegetables having a duty of
more than 30%, classified under Chapter-7 and
Chapter-8 of ITC (HS) book;
(v) Horn, hoof and any other organ of animal;
(vi) Honey;
(vii) Rough Marble Blocks/Slabs; and
(viii) Rough Granite.
(ix) Vitamins except for use in pharmaceutical
industry.
(b) For export of perfumes, perfumery compounds and
various feed ingredients containing vitamins, no
Authorisation shall be issued by Regional Authority
under paragraph 4.07 of Handbook of Procedures and
applicants shall be required to apply under paragraph
75

4.06 of Hand Book of Procedures to the Norms

Committee.
(c)

Where export and/or import of biotechnology items

and related products are involved, Authorisation
under paragraph 4.07 of Handbook of Procedures shall
be issued by Regional Authority only on submission of
a No Objection Certificate from Department of
Biotechnology.

4.12 Accounting of Input

(i)

Wherever SION permits use of either (a) a generic

input or (b) alternative input, unless the name of the
specific input [which has been used in manufacturing
the export product] gets indicated / endorsed in the
relevant shipping bill and these inputs, so endorsed,
match the description in the relevant bill of entry, the
concerned Authorisation will not be redeemed. In
other words, the name/description of the input used
(or to be used) in the Authorisation must match
exactly with the name/description endorsed in the
shipping bill.

(ii) In addition, if in any SION, a single quantity has been

indicated against a number of inputs (more than one
input), then quantities of such inputs to be permitted
for import shall be in proportion to the quantity of
these inputs actually used/consumed in production,
within overall quantity against such group of inputs.
Proportion of these inputs actually used/consumed in
production of export product shall be clearly indicated
in shipping bills.
(iii) At the time of discharge of export obligation (issue of
EODC) or at the time of redemption, Regional
76

Authority shall allow only those inputs which have

been specifically indicated in the shipping bill.
(iv) The above provisions will also be applicable for
supplies to SEZs and supplies made under Deemed
export. Details as given above will have to be indicated
in the relevant Bill of Export, ARE-3, Central Excise
certified Invoice / import document / document for
domestic procurement/supply.
4.13 Pre-import condition in certain cases
(i)

DGFT may, by Notification, impose

condition for inputs under this Chapter.

pre-import

(ii) Import items subject to pre-import condition are listed

in Appendix 4-J or will be as indicated in Standard
Input Output Norms (SION).
(iii) Import of drugs from unregistered sources shall have
pre-import condition.
4.14 Details of Duties exempted
Imports under Advance Authorisation are exempted from
payment of Basic Customs Duty, Additional Customs
Duty, Education Cess, Anti-dumping Duty, Safeguard
Duty and Transition Product Specific Safeguard Duty,
wherever applicable. However, Import against supplies
covered under paragraph 7.02 (c), (d) and (g) of FTP will
not be exempted from payment of applicable Antidumping Duty, Safeguard Duty and Transition Product
Specific Safeguard Duty, if any.

77

4.15 Admissibility of Drawback

Drawback as per rate determined and fixed by Central
Excise authority shall be available for duty paid imported
or indigenous inputs (not specified in the norms) used in the
export product. For this purpose, applicant shall indicate
clearly details of duty paid input in the application for
Advance Authorisation. As per details mentioned in the
application, Regional Authority shall also clearly endorse
details of such duty paid inputs in the condition sheet of the
Advance Authorisation.
4.16 Actual User Condition for Advance Authorisation
(i)

Advance Authorisation and / or material imported

under Advance Authorisation shall be subject to
Actual User condition. The same shall not be
transferable even after completion of export
obligation. However, Authorisation holder will have
option to dispose of product manufactured out of duty
free input once export obligation is completed.

(ii) In case where CENVAT credit facility on input has been

availed for the exported goods, even after completion
of export obligation, the goods imported against such
Advance Authorisation shall be utilized only in the
manufacture of dutiable goods whether within the
same factory or outside (by a supporting
manufacturer). For this, the Authorisation holder shall
produce a certificate from either the jurisdictional
Central Excise Authority or Chartered Accountant, at
the option of the exporter, at the time of filing
application for Export Obligation Discharge Certificate
to Regional Authority concerned.

78

(iii) Waste / scrap arising out of manufacturing process, as

allowed, can be disposed off on payment of applicable
duty even before fulfillment of export obligation.
4.17 Validity Period for Import
(i)

Validity period for import of Advance Authorisation

shall be 12 months from the date of issue of
Authorisation.

(ii) Advance Authorisation for Deemed Export shall be coterminus with contracted duration of project execution
or 12 months from the date of issue of Authorisation,
whichever is more.
4.18 Importability / Exportability of items that are
Prohibited/Restricted/ STE
(i)

No export or import of an item shall be allowed under

Advance Authorisation / DFIA if the item is prohibited
for exports or imports respectively. Export of a
prohibited item may be allowed under Advance
Authorisation provided it is separately so notified,
subject to the conditions given therein.

(ii) Items reserved for imports by STEs cannot be

imported against Advance Authorisation / DFIA.
However those items can be procured from STEs
against ARO or Invalidation letter.
STEs are also
allowed to sell goods on High Sea Sale basis to holders
of Advance Authorisation / DFIA holder. STEs are also
permitted to issue No Objection Certificate (NOC)
for import by Advance Authorisation / DFIA holder.
Authorisation Holder would be required to file
Quarterly Returns of imports effected against such
NOC to concerned STE and STE would submit halfyearly import figures of such imports to concerned
79

administrative Department for monitoring with a copy

endorsed to DGFT.
(iii) Items reserved for export by STE can be exported
under Advance Authorisation / DFIA only after
obtaining a No Objection Certificate from the
concerned STE.
(iv) Import of restricted items shall be allowed under
Advance Authorisation/ DFIA.
(v) Export of restricted / SCOMET items however, shall be
subject to all conditionalities or requirements of
export authorisation or permission, as may be
required, under Schedule 2 of ITC (HS).
4.19 Free of Cost Supply by Foreign Buyer
Advance Authorisation shall also be available where some or
all inputs are supplied free of cost to exporter by foreign
buyer. In such cases, notional value of free of cost input shall
be added in the CIF value of import and FOB value of export
for the purpose of computation of value addition. However,
realization of export proceeds will be equivalent to an amount
excluding notional value of such input.
4.20 Domestic Sourcing of Inputs
(i)

Holder of an Advance Authorisation / Duty Free

Import Authorisation can procure inputs from
indigenous supplier/ State Trading Enterprise in lieu
of direct import. Such procurement can be against
Advance Release Order (ARO), Invalidation Letter,
Back-to-Back Inland Letter of Credit.

(ii) When domestic supplier intends to obtain duty free

material for inputs through Advance Authorisation for
80

supplying resultant product to another Advance

Authorisation / DFIA / EPCG Authorisation, Regional
Authority shall issue Invalidation Letter.
(iii) Regional Authority shall issue Advance Release Order
if the domestic supplier intends to seek refund of duty
through Deemed Exports mechanism as per provisions
under Chapter-7 of FTP.
(iv) Regional Authority may issue Advance Release Order
or Invalidation Letter at the time of issue of
Authorisation simultaneously or subsequently.
(v) Advance Authorisation holder under DTA can procure
inputs from EOU / EHTP / BTP / STP / SEZ units
without obtaining Advance Release Order or
Invalidation Letter.
(vi) Duty Free Import Authorisation holder shall also be
eligible for Advance Release Order / Invalidation
Letter facility.
(vii) Validity of Advance Release Order / Invalidation Letter
shall be co-terminous with validity of Authorisation.
4.21 Currency for Realisation of Export Proceeds
(i)

Export proceeds shall be realized in freely convertible

currency except otherwise specified. Provisions
regarding realization of export proceeds are given in
paragraph 2.43 of FTP.

(ii) Export to Rupee Payment Area (RPA) (for which

payments are not received in freely convertible
currency) shall be subject to minimum value addition
as specified in Appendix-4C.
81

(iii) Export to SEZ Units shall be taken into account for

discharge of export obligation provided payment is
realised from Foreign Currency Account of the SEZ
unit.
(iv) Export to SEZ Developers / Co-developers can also be
taken into account for discharge of export obligation
even if payment is realised in Indian Rupees.
(v) Authorisation holder needs to file Bill of Export for
export to SEZ unit / developer / co-developer in
accordance with the procedures given in SEZ Rules,
2006.
4.22 Export Obligation
(i)

Period for fulfilment of export obligation under

Advance Authorisation shall be 18 months from the
date of issue of Authorisation or as notified by DGFT.

(ii) In cases of supplies to turnkey projects in India under

deemed export category or turnkey projects abroad,
the Export Obligation period shall be co-terminus with
contracted duration of the project execution or 18
months whichever is more.
(iii) Export Obligation for items falling in categories of
defence, military store, aerospace and nuclear energy
shall be 24 months from the date of issue of
authorization or co-terminus with contracted duration
of the export order whichever is more.
(ii) Export Obligation Period for specified inputs, from the
date of clearance of each consignment, is given in
Appendix 4-J.

82

4.23 Export Obligation Period (EOP) Extension for units

under BIFR/ Rehabilitation.
A company holding Advance Authorisation and registered
with BIFR / Rehabilitation Department of State Government
or any firm / company acquiring a unit holding Advance
Authorisation which is under BIFR / Rehabilitation, may be
permitted export obligation extension for the Advance
Authorisation(s) held by the acquired unit, as per
rehabilitation package prepared by operating agency and
approved by BIFR / Rehabilitation Department of State
Government. If time-period upto which EO extension is to be
granted is not specifically mentioned in the BIFR order, EO
extension of two years from the date of expiry of EOP
(including extended period) or the date of BIFR order,
whichever is later, shall be granted without payment of
composition fee.
4.24 Re-import of exported goods
Exemption / Remission Scheme

under

Duty

Goods exported under Advance Authorisation / Duty Free

Import Authorisation may be re-imported in same or
substantially same form subject to such conditions as may
be specified by Department of Revenue. Authorisation
holder shall also inform about such re-importation to the
Regional Authority which had issued the Authorisation
within one month from date of re-import.
DUTY FREE IMPORT AUTHORISATION SCHEME (DFIA)
4.25 DFIA Scheme
(a)

Duty Free Import Authorisation is issued to allow duty

free import of inputs. In addition, import of oil and
catalyst which is consumed / utilised in the process of
production of export product, may also be allowed.
83

(b) Provisions of paragraphs 4.12, 4.18, 4.20, 4.21 and 4.24

of FTP shall be applicable to DFIA also.
4.26 Duties Exempted and Admissibility of Cenvat and
Drawback
(i)

Duty Free Import Authorisation shall be exempted

only from payment of Basic Customs Duty.

(ii) Additional customs duty/excise duty, being not

exempt, shall be adjusted as CENVAT credit as per DoR
rules.
(ii) Drawback as per rate determined and fixed by Central
Excise authority shall be available for duty paid inputs,
whether imported or indigenous, used in the export
product. However, in case such drawback is claimed
for inputs not specified in SION, the applicant should
have indicated clearly details of such duty paid inputs
also in the application for Duty Free Import
Authorization, and as per the details mentioned in the
application, the Regional Authority should also have
clearly endorsed details of such duty paid inputs in the
condition sheet of the Duty Free Import Authorization.
4.27 Eligibility
(i)

Duty Free Import Authorisation shall be issued on post

export basis for products for which Standard Input
Output Norms have been notified.

(ii) Merchant Exporter shall be required to mention name

and address of supporting manufacturer of the export
product on the export document viz. Shipping Bill /
Airway Bill / Bill of Export / ARE-1 / ARE-3.
84

(iii) Application is to be filed with concerned Regional

Authority before effecting export under Duty Free
Import Authorisation.
4.28 Minimum Value Addition
Minimum value addition of 20% shall be required to be
achieved. For items where higher value addition has been
prescribed under Advance Authorisation in Appendix 4C,
the same value addition shall be applicable for Duty Free
Import Authorisation also.
4.29 Validity & Transferability of DFIA
(i)

Applicant shall file online application to Regional

Authority concerned before starting export under
DFIA.

(ii) Export shall be completed within 12 months from the

date of online filing of application and generation of file
number.
(iii) While doing export/supply, applicant shall indicate file
number on the export documents viz. Shipping Bill /
Airway Bill/ Bill of Export / ARE-1 / ARE-3, Central
Excise certified Invoice.
(iv) After completion of exports and realization of
proceeds, request for issuance of transferable Duty
Free Import Authorisation may be made to concerned
Regional Authority within a period of twelve months
from the date of export or six months (or additional
time allowed by RBI for realization) from the date of
realization of export proceeds, whichever is later.

85

(v) Applicant shall be allowed to file application beyond 24

months from the date of generation of file number as
per paragraph 9.03 of Hand Book of Procedures.
(vi) Separate DFIA shall be issued for each SION and each
port.
(vii) Exports under DFIA shall be made from from a single
port as mentioned in paragraph 4.37 of Handbook of
Procedures.
(viii) No Duty Free Import Authorisation shall be issued for
an export product where SION prescribes Actual User
condition for any input.
(ix) Regional Authority shall issue transferable DFIA with a
validity of 12 months from the date of issue. No further
revalidation shall be granted by Regional Authority.
4.30 Sensitive Items
Authorisation
(a)

under

Duty

Free

Import

In respect of resultant products requiring following

inputs, exporter shall be required to provide
declaration with regard to technical characteristics,
quality and specification in Shipping Bill:
Alloy steel including Stainless Steel, Copper Alloy,
Synthetic Rubber, Bearings, Solvent, Perfumes /
Essential
Oil/ Aromatic Chemicals, Surfactants,
Relevant Fabrics, marble, Articles made of
polypropylene, Articles made of Paper and Paper
Board, Insecticides, Lead Ingots, Zinc Ingots, Citric
Acid, Relevant Glass fibre reinforcement (Glass fibre,
Chopped / Stranded Mat, Roving Woven Surfacing
Mat), Relevant Synthetic Resin
(unsaturated

86

polyester resin, Epoxy Resin, Vinyl Ester Resin,

Hydroxy Ethyl Cellulose), Lining Material.
(b) While issuing Duty Free Import Authorisation,
Regional Authority
shall mention technical
characteristics, quality and specification in respect of
above inputs in the Authorisation.
SCHEMES FOR EXPORTERS OF GEMS AND JEWELLERY
4.31 Import of Input
Exporters of gems and Jewellery can import / procure duty
free input for manufacture of export product.
4.32 Items of Export
Following items, if exported, would be eligible:
(i)

Gold jewellery, including partly processed jewellery

and articles
including
medallions
and
coins
(excluding legal tender coins), whether plain or
studded, containing gold of 8 carats and above;

(ii) Silver jewellery including partly processed jewellery,

silverware, silver strips and articles including
medallions and coins (excluding legal tender coins and
any engineering goods) containing more than 50%
silver by weight;
(iii) Platinum jewellery including partly processed
jewellery and articles including medallions and coins
(excluding legal tender coins and any engineering
goods) containing more than 50% platinum by weight.

87

4.33 Schemes
The schemes are as follows:
(i)

Advance Procurement / Replenishment of Precious

Metals from Nominated Agencies;
(ii) Replenishment Authorisation for Gems;
(iii) Replenishment Authorisation for Consumables;
(iv) Advance Authorisation for Precious Metals.
4.34 Advance Procurement/ Replenishment of Precious
Metals from Nominated Agencies
(i)

Exporter of gold / silver / platinum jewellery and

articles thereof including mountings and findings may
obtain gold / silver / platinum as an input for export
product from Nominated Agency, in advance or as
replenishment after export in accordance with the
procedure specified in this behalf.

(ii) The export would be subject to wastage norms and

minimum value addition as prescribed in paragraph
4.60 and 4.61 respectively in the Handbook of
Procedures.
4.35 Replenishment Authorisation for Gems
(i)

Exporter may obtain Replenishment Authorisation for

Gems from Regional Authority in accordance with
procedure specified in Handbook of Procedures.

(ii) Replenishment Authorisation for Gems may be issued

against export including that made against supply by
Nominated Agency (paragraph 4.41 of FTP) and
against supply by foreign buyer (paragraph 4.45 of
FTP).
88

(iii) In case of plain or studded gold / silver / platinum

jewellery and articles, value of such Authorisation shall
be determined with reference to realisation in excess
of prescribed minimum value addition. Replenishment
Authorisation for Gems shall be freely transferable.
(iv) Replenishment Rate and item of import will be as
prescribed in Appendix 4G.
4.36 Replenishment Authorisation for Consumables
(i)

Replenishment authorization for duty free import of

Consumables, Tools and other items namely, Tags
and labels, Security censor on card, Staple wire, Poly
bag (as notified by Customs) for Jewellery made out of
precious metals (other than Gold & Platinum) equal to
2% and for Cut and Polished Diamonds and Jewellery
made out of Gold and Platinum equal to 1% of FOB
value of exports of the preceding year, may be issued
on production of Chartered Accountant Certificate
indicating the export performance. However, in case of
Rhodium finished Silver jewellery, entitlement will be
3% of FOB value of exports of such jewellery. This
Authorisation shall be non-transferable and subject to
actual user condition.

(ii) Application for import of consumables as given above

shall be filed online to the concerned Regional
Authority in ANF 4H.
4.37 Advance Authorisation for Precious Metals.
(a)

Advance Authorisation shall be granted on preimport basis with Actual User condition for duty free
import of:

89

(i)

Gold of fineness not less than 0.995 and

mountings, sockets, frames and findings of 8
carats and above;

(ii) Silver of fineness not less than 0.995 and

mountings, sockets, frames and findings
containing more than 50% silver by weight;
(iii) Platinum of fineness not less than 0.900 and
mountings, sockets, frames and findings
containing more than 50% platinum by weight.
(b) Advance Authorization shall carry an export obligation
which shall be fulfilled as per procedure indicated in
Chapter 4 of Handbook of Procedures.
(c)

Value Addition shall be as per paragraph 4.38 of FTP

and 4.61 of Handbook of Procedures.

4.38 Value Addition

Minimum Value Addition norms for gems and jewellery
sector are given in paragraph 4.61 of Handbook of
Procedures. It would be calculated as under:
A-B
VA = ----------- x 100, where
B
A = FOB value of the export realised / FOR value of supply
received.
B = Value of inputs (including domestically procured) such
as gold / silver / platinum content in export product plus
admissible wastage along with value of other items such as
gemstone etc. Wherever gold has been obtained on loan
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basis, value shall also include interest paid in free

foreign exchange to foreign supplier.
4.39 Wastage Norms
Wastage or manufacturing loss for gold / silver / platinum
jewellery shall be admissible as per paragraph 4.60 of
Handbook of Procedures.
4.40 DFIA not available
Duty Free Import Authorisation scheme shall not be
available for Gems and Jewellery sector.
4.41 Nominated Agencies
(i)

Exporters may obtain gold / silver / platinum from

Nominated Agency. Exporter in EOU and units in SEZ
would be governed by the respective provisions of
Chapter-6 of FTP / SEZ Rules, respectively.

(ii) Nominated Agencies are MMTC Ltd, The Handicraft and

Handlooms Exports Corporation of India Ltd, The State
Trading Corporation of India Ltd, PEC Ltd, STCL Ltd,
MSTC Ltd, and Diamond India Limited
(iii) Four Star Export House from Gems & Jewellery sector
and Five Star Export House from any sector may be
recognized as Nominated Agency by Regional
Authority.
(iv) Reserve Bank of India can authorize any bank as
Nominated Agency.
(iv) Procedure for import of precious metal by Nominated
Agency (other than those authorized by Reserve Bank
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of India and the Gems & Jewellery units operating

under EOU and SEZ schemes) and the monitoring
mechanism thereof shall be as per the provisions laid
down in Hand Book of Procedures.
(v) A bank authorised by Reserve Bank of India is allowed
export of gold scrap for refining and import standard
gold bars as per Reserve Bank of India guidelines.
4.42 Import of Diamonds for Certification / Grading &
Re- export
Following agencies are permitted to import diamonds to
their laboratories without any import duty, for the
purpose of certification / grading reports, with a condition
that the same should be re-exported with the
certification/grading reports, as per the procedure laid
down in Hand Book of Procedures:
(1) Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Mumbai,
Maharashtra.
(2) Indian Diamond Institute, Surat, Gujarat, India.
(3) International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research
India Pvt Ltd., Surat, Gujarat, India.
4.43 Export of Cut & Polished Diamonds
Certification/ Grading & Re-import

for

List of authorized laboratories for certification / grading of

diamonds of 0.25 carat and above are given in paragraph
4.74 of Handbook of Procedures.
4.44 Export of Cut & Polished Diamonds with Re-import
Facility at Zero Duty
An exporter (with annual export turnover of Rs 5 crores for
each of the last three years) may export cut & polished
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diamonds (each of 0.25 carat or above) to any of the

agencies/laboratories mentioned under paragraph 4.74 of
Handbook of Procedures with re-import facility at zero
duty within 3 months from the date of export. Such facility
of re-import at zero duty will be subject to guidelines issued
by Central Board of Customs & Excise, Department of
Revenue.
4.45 Export against Supply by Foreign Buyer
(i)

Where export orders are placed on nominated

agencies / status holder / exporters of three years
standing having an annual average turnover of Rupees
five crores during preceding three financial years,
foreign buyer may supply in advance and free of
charge, gold / silver / platinum, alloys, findings and
mountings of gold / silver / platinum for manufacture
and export.

(ii) Such supplies can also be in advance and may involve

semi-finished jewellery including findings / mountings
/ components for repairs / re-make and export subject
to minimum value addition as prescribed under
paragraph 4.61 of Handbook of Procedures. In such
cases of export, wastage norms as per paragraph 4.60
of Handbook of Procedures shall apply.
(iii) Exports may be made by nominated agencies
directly or through their associates or by status
holder / exporter. Import and Export of findings shall
be on net to net basis.
4.46 Export Promotion Tours/ Export of Branded
Jewellery
(i)

Nominated Agencies and their associates, with

approval of Department of Commerce and with
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approval of Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council

(GJEPC), may export gold / silver / platinum jewellery
and articles thereof for exhibitions abroad.
(ii) Personal carriage of gold / silver / platinum jewellery,
precious, semi-precious stones, beads and articles and
export of branded jewellery is also permitted, subject
to conditions as in Handbook of Procedures.
4.47 Personal Carriage of Export / Import Parcels
Personal carriage of gems and jewellery export parcels by
foreign bound passengers and import parcels by an Indian
importer/foreign national may be permitted as per the
Handbook of Procedures.
4.48 Export by Post
Export o f jewellery through Foreign Post Office including
via Speed Post is allowed. The jewellery parcel shall not
exceed 20 kgs by weight.
4.49 Private / Public Bonded Warehouse
Private / Public Bonded Warehouses may be set up in
SEZ/DTA for import and re-export of cut and polished
diamonds, cut and polished coloured gemstones, uncut &
unset precious & semi-precious stones, subject to
achievement of minimum value addition of 5% by DTA units.
4.50 Diamond & Jewellery Dollar Accounts
(a)

Firms and companies dealing in purchase / sale of

rough or cut and polished diamonds / precious metal
jewellery plain, minakari and / or studded with /
without diamond and / or other stones with a track
record of at least two years in import or export of
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diamonds / coloured gemstones / diamond and

coloured gemstones studded jewellery / plain gold
jewellery and having an average annual turnover of
Rs.3 crore or above during preceding three
licensing years may also carry out their business
through designated Diamond Dollar Accounts (DDA).
(b) Dollars in such accounts available from bank finance
and / or export proceeds shall be used only for:
(i)

Import / purchase of rough diamonds from

overseas/ local sources;

(ii) Purchase of cut and polished diamonds,

coloured gemstones and plain gold jewellery from
local sources;
(iii) Import / purchase of gold from overseas /
nominated agencies and repayment of dollar
loans from the bank; and
(iv) Transfer to Rupee Account of exporter.
Details of this DDA Scheme are given in Handbook
of Procedures.
(c)

A non DDA holder is also permitted to supply cut and

polished diamonds to DDA holder, receive payment in
dollars and convert the same into Rupees within 7
days. Cut and polished diamonds and coloured
gemstones so supplied by non-DDA holder will also be
counted towards discharge of his export obligation
and/ or entitle him to replenishment Authorisation.

95

4.51 Export of cut & polished precious and semiprecious stones for treatment and re-import
Gems and Jewellery exporters shall be allowed to export cut
and polished precious and semi-precious stones for the
treatment and re-import as per customs rules and
regulations. In case of re-export, the exporter shall be
entitled for duty drawback as per rules.
4.52 Re-import of rejected Jewellery
Gems & Jewellery exporters shall be allowed to re-import
rejected precious metal jewellery as per paragraph 4.91 of
Handbook of Procedures.
4.53 Export and import on consignment basis
Gems & Jewellery exporters shall be allowed to export and
import diamond, gemstones & jewellery on consignment
basis as per Handbook of Procedures and Customs Rules and
Regulations.

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CHAPTER 5
EXPORT PROMOTION CAPITAL GOODS (EPCG) SCHEME
5.00 Objective
The objective of the EPCG Scheme is to facilitate import of
capital goods for producing quality goods and services to
enhance Indias export competitiveness.
5.01 EPCG Scheme
(a)

EPCG Scheme allows import of capital goods for preproduction, production and post-production at Zero
customs duty. Alternatively, the Authorisation holder
may also procure Capital Goods from indigenous
sources in accordance with provisions of paragraph
5.07 of FTP. Capital goods for the purpose of the EPCG
scheme shall include:
(i)

Capital Goods as defined in Chapter 9 including in

CKD/SKD condition thereof;
(ii) Computer software systems;
(iii) Spares, moulds, dies, jigs, fixtures, tools &
refractories for initial lining and spare
refractories; and
(iv) catalysts for initial charge plus one subsequent
charge.
(b) Import of capital goods for Project Imports notified by
Central Board of Excise and Customs is also permitted
under EPCG Scheme.
(c)

Import under EPCG Scheme shall be subject to an

export obligation equivalent to 6 times of duty saved
on capital goods, to be fulfilled in 6 years reckoned
from date of issue of Authorisation.
97

(d) Authorisation shall be valid for import for 18 months

from the date of issue of Authorisation. Revalidation of
EPCG Authorisation shall not be permitted.
(e)

In case countervailing duty (CVD) is paid in cash on

imports under EPCG, incidence of CVD would not be
taken for computation of net duty saved, provided
CENVAT is not availed.

(f)

Second hand capital goods shall not be permitted to be

imported under EPCG Scheme.

(g) Authorisation under EPCG Scheme shall not be issued

for import of any Capital Goods (including Captive
plants and Power Generator Sets of any kind) for
(i)

Export of electrical energy (power)

(ii) Supply of electrical energy (power) under deemed

exports
(iii) Use of power (energy) in their own unit, and
(iv) Supply/export of electricity transmission services
(h) Import of items which are restricted for import shall be
permitted under EPCG Scheme only after approval
from Exim Facilitation Committee (EFC) at DGFT
Headquarters.
(i)

If the goods proposed to be exported under EPCG

authorisation are restricted for export, the EPCG
authorisation shall be issued only after approval for
issuance of export authorisation from Exim Facilitation
Committee at DGFT Headquarters.
98

5.02 Coverage
(a)

EPCG scheme covers manufacturer exporters with or

without supporting manufacturer(s), merchant
exporters tied to supporting manufacturer(s) and
service providers. Name of supporting manufacturer(s)
shall be endorsed on the EPCG authorisation before
installation of the capital goods in the factory /
premises of the supporting manufacturer (s). In case of
any change in supporting manufacturer (s) the RA
shall intimate such change to jurisdictional Central
Excise Authority of existing as well as changed
supporting manufacturer (s) and the Customs at port of
registration of Authorisation.

(b) Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme also

covers a service provider who is designated / certified
as a Common Service Provider (CSP) by the DGFT,
Department of Commerce or State Industrial
Infrastructural Corporation in a Town of Export
Excellence subject to provisions of Foreign Trade
Policy/Handbook of Procedures with the following
conditions:(i)

Export by users of the common service, to be

counted towards fulfilment of EO of the CSP shall
contain the EPCG authorisation details of the CSP
in the respective Shipping bills and concerned RA
must be informed about the details of the Users
prior to such export;

(ii) Such export will not count towards fulfilment of

specific export obligations in respect of other
EPCG authorisations (of the CSP/User); and
99

(iii) Authorisation holder shall be required to submit

Bank Guarantee (BG) which shall be equivalent to
the duty saved. BG can be given by CSP or by any
one of the users or a combination thereof, at the
option of the CSP.
5.03 Actual User Condition
Import of capital goods shall be subject to Actual User
condition till export obligation is completed.
5.04 Export Obligation (EO)
Following conditions shall apply to the fulfilment of EO:(a)

EO shall be fulfilled by the authorisation holder

through export of goods which are manufactured by
him or his supporting manufacturer / services
rendered by him, for which the EPCG authorisation has
been granted.

(b) EO under the scheme shall be, over and above, the
average level of exports achieved by the applicant in
the preceding three licensing years for the same and
similar products within the overall EO period including
extended period, if any; except for categories
mentioned in paragraph 5.13(a) of HBP. Such average
would be the arithmetic mean of export performance in
the preceding three licensing years for same and
similar products.
(c)

In case of indigenous sourcing of Capital Goods, specific

EO shall be 25% less than the EO stipulated in Para
5.01.

100

(d) Shipments under Advance Authorisation, DFIA,

Drawback scheme or reward schemes under Chapter 3
of FTP; would also count for fulfillment of EO under
EPCG Scheme.
(e)

Export shall be physical export. However, deemed

exports as specified in paragraph 7.02 (a), (b), (e), (f) &
(h) of FTP shall also be counted towards fulfillment of
export obligation, alongwith usual benefits available
under paragraph 7.03 of FTP.

(f)

EO can also be fulfilled by the supply of ITA-I items to

DTA, provided realization is in free foreign exchange.

(g) Royalty payments received by the Authorisation

holder in freely convertible currency and foreign
exchange received for R&D services shall also be
counted for discharge under EPCG.
(h) Payment received in rupee terms for such Services as
notified in Appendix 3E shall also be counted towards
discharge of export obligation under the EPCG scheme.
5.05 Provision for units under BIFR /Rehabilitation
A company holding EPCG authorisation and registered with
BIFR / Rehabilitation Department of State Government or
any firm/ company acquiring a unit holding EPCG
authorisation which is under BIFR / Rehabilitation, may be
permitted EO extension for the EPCG authorisation(s) held
by the acquired unit, as per rehabilitation package prepared
by operating agency and approved by BIFR / Rehabilitation
Department of State Government. If time-period upto which
EO extension is to be granted is not specifically mentioned in
the BIFR order, EO extension of 3 years from the date of
expiry of EOP (including extended period) or the date of
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BIFR order, whichever is later, shall be granted without

payment of composition fee.
5.06 LUT/Bond/BG in case of Agro units
LUT/Bond or 15% BG, as applicable, may be furnished for
EPCG authorisation granted to units in Agri-Export Zones
provided EPCG authorisation is taken for export of primary
agricultural product(s) notified or their value added
variants.
5.07 Indigenous Sourcing of Capital Goods and benefits
to Domestic Supplier
A person holding an EPCG authorisation may source capital
goods from a domestic manufacturer. Such domestic
manufacturer shall be eligible for deemed export benefit
under paragraph 7.03 of FTP. Such domestic sourcing shall
also be permitted from EOUs and these supplies shall be
counted for purpose of fulfilment of positive NFE by said
EOU as provided in Para 6.09 (a) of FTP.
5.08 Calculation of Export Obligation
In case of direct imports, EO shall be reckoned with
reference to actual duty saved amount. In case of domestic
sourcing, EO shall be reckoned with reference to notional
Customs duties saved on FOR value.
5.09 Incentive for early EO fulfilment
With a view to accelerating exports, in cases where
Authorisation holder has fulfilled 75% or more of specific
export obligation and 100% of Average Export Obligation till
date, if any, in half or less than half the original export
obligation period specified, remaining export obligation
shall be condoned and the Authorisation redeemed by RA
concerned. However no benefit under para 5.21 of HBP shall
102

be permitted where incentive for early EO fulfilment has

been availed.
5.10 Reduced EO for Green Technology Products
For exporters of Green Technology Products, Specific EO
shall be 75% of EO as stipulated in Para 5.01. There shall be
no change in average EO imposed, if any, as stipulated in
Para 5.04. The list of Green Technology Products is given in
Para 5.29 of HBP.
5.11 Reduced EO for North East Region and Jammu &
Kashmir
For units located in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur,
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Jammu
& Kashmir, specific EO shall be 25% of the EO, as stipulated
in Para 5.01. There shall be no change in average EO
imposed, if any, as stipulated in Para 5.04.
5.12 Post Export EPCG Duty Credit Scrip(s)
(a)

Post Export EPCG Duty Credit Scrip(s) shall be

available to exporters who intend to import capital
goods on full payment of applicable duties in cash and
choose to opt for this scheme.

(b) Basic Customs duty paid on Capital Goods shall be

remitted in the form of freely transferable duty credit
scrip(s), similar to those issued under Chapter 3 of FTP.
(c)

Specific EO shall be 85% of the applicable specific EO

under the EPCG Scheme. However, average EO shall
remain unchanged.

(d) Duty remission shall be in proportion to the EO

fulfilled.
103

(e)

All provisions for utilization of scrips issued under

Chapter 3 of FTP shall also be applicable to Post Export
EPCG Duty Credit Scrip (s).

(f)

All provisions of the existing EPCG Scheme shall apply

insofar as they are not inconsistent with this scheme.

104

CHAPTER 6
EXPORT ORIENTED UNITS (EOUs), ELECTRONICS
HARDWARE TECHNOLOGY PARKS (EHTPs), SOFTWARE
TECHNOLOGY PARKS (STPs) AND BIO-TECHNOLOGY
PARKS (BTPs)
6.00 Introduction and Objective
(a)

Units undertaking to export their entire production of

goods and services (except permissible sales in DTA),
may be set up under the Export Oriented Unit
(EOU) Scheme, Electronics Hardware Technology Park
(EHTP) Scheme, Software Technology Park (STP)
Scheme or Bio-Technology Park (BTP) Scheme for
manufacture of goods, including repair, re-making,
reconditioning, re-engineering, rendering of services,
development of software, agriculture including agroprocessing, aquaculture, animal husbandry, biotechnology, floriculture, horticulture, pisciculture,
viticulture, poultry and sericulture. Trading units are
not covered under these schemes.

(b) Objectives of these schemes are to promote exports,

enhance foreign exchange earnings, attract investment
for export production and employment generation.
6.01 Export and Import of Goods
(a)

An EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP unit may export all kinds

of goods and services except items that are prohibited
in ITC (HS).

(b) Export of Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials,

Equipment and Technologies (SCOMET) shall be
subject to fulfilment of the conditions indicated in ITC
(HS). In respect of an EOU, permission to export a
105

prohibited item may be considered, by BOA, on a case

to case basis, provided such raw materials are
imported and there is no procurement of such raw
material from DTA.
(c)

Procurement and supply of export promotion material

like brochure / literature, pamphlets, hoardings,
catalogues, posters etc up to a maximum value limit of
1.5% of FOB value of previous years exports shall also
be allowed.

(d) An EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP unit may import and / or

procure, from DTA or bonded warehouses in DTA /
international exhibition held in India, without payment
of duty, all types of goods, including capital goods,
required for its activities, provided they are not
prohibited items of import in the ITC (HS). Any
permission required for import under any other law
shall be applicable. Units shall also be permitted to
import goods including capital goods required for
approved activity, free of cost or on loan / lease from
clients. Import of capital goods will be on a selfcertification basis. Goods imported by a unit shall be
with actual user condition and shall be utilized for
export production.
(e)

State Trading regime shall not apply to EOU

manufacturing units. However, in respect of Chrome
Ore / Chrome concentrate, State Trading Regime as
stipulated in export policy of these items, will be
applicable to EOUs.

(f)

EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP units may import / procure

from DTA, without payment of duty, certain specified
goods for creating a central facility. Software EOU /
DTA units may use such facility for export of software.
106

(g) An EOU engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry,

aquaculture, floriculture, horticulture, pisciculture,
viticulture, poultry or sericulture may be permitted to
remove specified goods in connection with its
activities for use outside bonded area.
(h) Gems and jewellery EOUs may source gold / silver /
platinum through nominated agencies on loan /
outright purchase basis. Units obtaining gold / silver /
platinum from nominated agencies, either on loan
basis or outright purchase basis shall export gold /
silver / platinum within 90 days from date of release.
(i)

EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP units, other than service

units, may export to Russian Federation in Indian
Rupees against repayment of State Credit/ Escrow
Rupee Account of buyer subject to RBI clearance, if
any.

(j)

Procurement and export of spares / components, upto

5% of FOB value of exports, may be allowed to same
consignee / buyer of the export article, subject to the
condition that it shall not count for NFE and direct tax
benefits.

(k) BOA may allow, on a case to case basis, requests of

EOU / EHTP / STP/ BTP units in sectors other than
Gems & Jewellery, for consolidation of goods related to
manufactured articles and export thereof along with
manufactured article. Such goods may be allowed to be
imported / procured from DTA by EOU without
payment of duty, to the extent of 5% FOB value of such
manufactured articles exported by the unit in
preceding financial year. Details of procured /
imported goods and articles manufactured by the EOU
will be listed separately in the export documents. In
such cases, value of procured / imported goods will
107

not be taken into account for calculation of NFE and

DTA sale entitlement. Such procured / imported goods
shall not be allowed to be sold in DTA. BOA may also
specify any other conditions.
6.02 Secondhand Capital goods
Second hand capital goods, without any age limit, may also
be imported duty free.
6.03 Leasing of Capital Goods
(a)

An EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP unit may, on the basis of a

firm contract between parties, source capital goods
from a domestic / foreign leasing company without
payment of customs / excise duty. In such a case,
EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP unit and domestic / foreign
leasing company shall jointly file documents to enable
import / procurement of capital goods without
payment of duty.

(b) An EOU / EHTP / BTP / STP unit may sell capital

goods and lease back the same from a Non Banking
Financial Company (NBFC), subject to the following
conditions:
(i)

The unit should obtain permission from the

jurisdictional Deputy / Assistant Commissioner of
Customs or Central Excise, for entering into
transaction of Sale and Lease Back of Assets, and
submit full details of the goods to be sold and
leased back and the details of NBFC;

(ii) The goods sold and leased back shall not be

removed from the units premises;

108

(iii) The unit should be NFE positive at the time

when it enters into sale and lease back
transaction with NBFC;
(iv) A joint undertaking by the unit and NBFC should
be given to pay duty on goods in case of
violation or contravention of any provision of the
notification under which these goods were
imported or procured, read with Customs Act,
1962 or Central Excise Act, 1944, and that the lien
on the goods shall remain with the Customs /
Central Excise Department, which will have first
charge over the said goods for recovery of sum
due from the unit to Government under provision
of Section 142(b) of the Customs Act, 1962 read
with the Customs (Attachment of Property of
Defaulters for Recovery of Govt. Dues) Rules,
1995.
6.04 Net Foreign Exchange Earnings
EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP unit shall be a positive net foreign
exchange earner except for sector specific provision of
Appendix 6 B of Appendices & ANFs, where a higher value
addition shall be required. NFE Earnings shall be calculated
cumulatively in blocks of five years, starting from
commencement of production. Whenever a unit is unable to
achieve NFE due to prohibition / restriction imposed on
export of any product mentioned in LoP, the five year block
period for calculation of NFE earnings may be suitably
extended by BoA. Further, wherever a unit is unable to
achieve NFE due to adverse market condition or any
grounds of genuine hardship having adverse impact on
functioning of the unit, the five year block period for
calculation of NFE earnings may be extended by BOA for a
period of upto one year, on a case to case basis.
109

6.05 Letter of Permission / Letter of Intent and Legal

Undertaking
(a)

On approval, a Letter of Permission (LoP) / Letter of

Intent (LoI) shall be issued by DC / designated officer
to EOU/ EHTP / STP / BTP unit. LoP / LoI shall have an
initial validity of 2 years to enable the Unit to construct
the plant & install the machinery and by this time the
unit should have commenced production. In case the
unit is not able to commence production in initial
validity of 2 years, an extension of one year may be
given by the DC for valid reasons to be recorded in
writing. Subsequent extension of one year may be
given by the Unit Approval Committee subject to
condition that two-thirds of activities including
construction, relating to the setting up of the Unit are
complete and Chartered Engineers certificate to this
effect is submitted by the Unit. Further extension, if
necessary, will be granted by the Board of Approval.
Once unit commences production, LoP / LoI issued
shall be valid for a period of 5 years for its activities.
This period may be extended further by DC for a period
of 5 years at a time.

(b) LoP / LoI issued to EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP units by

concerned authority, subject to compliance of
provision in Para 6.01 above, would be construed as an
Authorisation for all purposes.
(c)

Unit shall execute an LUT with DC concerned. Failure to

ensure positive NFE or to abide by any of the terms and
conditions of LoP / LoI / IL / LUT shall render the unit
liable to penal action under provisions of the FT (D&R)
Act, as amended, and Rules and Orders made
thereunder, without prejudice to action under any
other law / rules and cancellation or revocation of LoP
/ LoI / IL.
110

6.06 Investment Criteria

Only projects having a minimum investment of Rs. 1 Crore
in plant & machinery shall be considered for establishment
as EOUs. However, this shall not apply to existing units,
units in EHTP / STP / BTP, and EOUs in Handicrafts /
Agriculture / Floriculture / Aquaculture / Animal
Husbandry / Information Technology, Services, Brass
Hardware and Handmade jewellery sectors. BOA may allow
establishment of EOUs with a lower investment criteria.
6.07 Applications & Approvals
(a)

Applications for setting up of units under EOU scheme

shall be approved or rejected by the Units Approval
Committee within 15 days as per criteria indicated in
Handbook of Procedures (HBP).

(b) In other cases, approval may be granted by BOA set up

for this purpose as indicated in HBP.
(c)

Proposals for setting up EOU requiring industrial

licence may be granted approval by DC after clearance
of proposal by BOA and DIPP within 45 days.

(d) Applications for conversion into an EOU / EHTP / STP /

BTP unit from existing DTA units, having an investment
of Rs. 50 crores and above in plant and machinery or
exporting Rs. 50 crores and above annually, shall be
placed before BOA for a decision.
6.08 DTA Sale of Finished Products / Rejects / Waste/
Scrap / Remnants and By-products
Entire production of EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP units shall
be exported subject to following:
111

(a)

Units, other than gems and jewellery units, may sell

goods upto 50% of FOB value of exports, subject to
fulfilment of positive NFE, on payment of concessional
duties. Within entitlement of DTA sale, unit may sell in
DTA, its products similar to goods which are exported
or expected to be exported from units. However, units
which are manufacturing and exporting more than one
product can sell any of these products into DTA, upto
90% of FOB value of export of the specific products,
subject to the condition that total DTA sale does not
exceed the overall entitlement of 50% of FOB value of
exports for the unit, as stipulated above. No DTA sale at
concessional duty shall be permissible in respect of
motor cars, alcoholic liquors, books, tea (except
instant tea), pepper & pepper products, marble and
such other items as may be notified from time to time.
Such DTA sale shall also not be permissible to units
engaged in activities of packaging / labelling /
segregation / refrigeration / compacting /
micronisation / pulverization / granulation /
conversion of monohydrate form of chemical to
anhydrous form or vice-versa. Sales made to a unit in
SEZ shall also be taken into account for purpose of
arriving at FOB value of export by EOU provided
payment for such sales are made from Foreign
Currency Account of SEZ unit. Sale to DTA would also
be subject to mandatory requirement of registration of
pharmaceutical products (including bulk drugs). An
amount equal to Anti Dumping duty under section 9A
of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 leviable at the time of
import, shall be payable on the goods used for the
purpose of manufacture or processing of the goods
cleared into DTA from the unit.

112

(b) For services, including software units, sale in DTA in

any mode, including on line data communication, shall
also be permissible up to 50% of FOB value of exports
and /or 50% of foreign exchange earned, where
payment of such services is received in foreign
exchange.
(c)

Gems and jewellery units may sell upto 10% of FOB

value of exports of the preceding year in DTA, subject
to fulfilment of positive NFE. In respect of sale of plain
jewellery, recipient shall pay concessional rate of duty
as applicable to sale from nominated agencies. In
respect of studded jewellery, duty shall be payable as
applicable.

(d) Unless specifically prohibited in LoP, rejects within an

overall limit of 50% may be sold in DTA on payment of
duties as applicable to sale under Sub - para 6.08 (a) on
prior intimation to Customs authorities. Such sales
shall be counted against DTA sale entitlement. Sale of
rejects upto 5% of FOB value of exports shall not be
subject to achievement of NFE.
(e)

Scrap / waste / remnants arising out of production

process or in connection therewith may be sold in
DTA, as per SION notified under Duty Exemption
Scheme, on payment of concessional duties as
applicable, within overall ceiling of 50% of FOB value
of exports. Such sales of scrap / waste / remnants shall
not be subject to achievement of positive NFE. In
respect of items not covered by norms, DC may fix adhoc norms for a period of six months and within this
period, norms should be fixed by Norms Committee.
Ad-hoc norms will continue till such time norms are
fixed by Norms Committee. Sale of waste / scrap /
remnants by units not entitled to DTA sale, or sales
beyond DTA sale entitlement, shall be on payment of
113

full duties. Scrap / waste / remnants may also be

exported.
(f)

There shall be no duties / taxes on scrap / waste /

remnants, in case same are destroyed with permission
of Customs authorities.

(g) By-products included in LoP may also be sold in DTA

subject to achievement of positive NFE, on payment of
applicable duties, within the overall entitlement of Sub
- para 6.08 (a). Sale of by-products by units not entitled
to DTA sales, or beyond entitlements of Sub-para 6.08
(a), shall also be permissible on payment of full duties.
(h) EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP units may sell finished
products, except pepper and pepper products and
marble, which are freely importable under FTP in DTA,
under intimation to DC, against payment of full duties,
provided they have achieved positive NFE. An amount
equal to Anti Dumping duty under section 9A of the
Customs Tariff Act, 1975 leviable at the time of import,
shall be payable on the goods used for the purpose of
manufacture or processing of the goods cleared into
DTA from the unit.
(i)

In case of units manufacturing electronics hardware

and software, NFE and DTA sale entitlement shall be
reckoned separately for hardware and software.

(j)

In case of DTA sale of goods manufactured by EOU /

EHTP / STP / BTP, where basic duty and CVD is nil,
such goods may be considered as non-excisable for
payment of duty.

114

(k) In case of new EOUs, advance DTA sale will be allowed

not exceeding 50% of its estimated exports for first
year, except pharmaceutical units where this will be
based on its estimated exports for first two years.
(l)

Units in Textile and Granite sectors shall have an

option to sell goods into DTA in terms of Sub - paras
6.08 (a), (d), (e), (g) and (k) above, on payment of an
amount equal to aggregate of duties of excise leviable
under section 3 of the Central Excise Act, 1944 or
under any other law for the time being in force, on like
goods produced or manufactured in India other than in
an EOU, subject to the condition that they have not
used duty paid imported inputs in excess of 3% of the
FOB value of exports of the preceding year and they
have achieved positive NFE. Once this option is
exercised, the unit will not be allowed to import any
duty free inputs for any purpose.

(m) Procurement of spares / components, up to 2% of the

value of manufactured articles, cleared into DTA,
during the preceding year, may be allowed for supply
to the same consignee / buyer for the purpose of aftersale-service. The same can be cleared in DTA on
payment of applicable duty but such clearances shall be
within the overall entitlement of the unit for DTA sale
at concessional rate of duty as prescribed in Para 6.08
(a) of FTP.
6.09 Other Supplies
Following supplies effected from EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP
units will be counted for fulfilment of positive NFE. Such
supplies shall not include marble, except if such supply of
marble is an inter unit supply as provided at Sub - para (c)
below:
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(a)

Supplies effected in DTA to holders of Advance

Authorisation / Advance Authorisation for annual
requirement / DFIA under duty exemption / remission
scheme / EPCG scheme. However, printing sector EOUs
(or any other sector that may be notified in HBP), cant
supply goods, where basic customs duty and CVD is nil
or exempted otherwise, to holders of Advance
Authorisation / Advance Authorization for annual
requirement.

(b) Supplies effected in DTA against foreign exchange

remittance received from overseas.
(c)

Supplies to other EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP / SEZ units,

provided that such goods are permissible for
procurement in terms of Para 6.01 of FTP.

(d) Supplies made to bonded warehouses set up under FTP

and / or under section 65 of Customs Act and free trade
and warehousing zones, where payment is received in
foreign exchange.
(e)

Supplies of goods and services to such organizations

which are entitled for duty free import of such items in
terms of general exemption notification issued by MoF,
as may be provided in HBP.

(f)

Supplies of Information Technology Agreement (ITA-1)

items and notified zero duty telecom / electronics
items.

(g) Supplies of items like tags, labels, printed bags, stickers,

belts, buttons or hangers to DTA unit for export.
(h) Supply of LPG produced in an EOU refinery to Public
Sector domestic oil companies for being supplied to
household domestic consumers at subsidized prices
116

under the Public Distribution System (PDS) Kerosene

and Domestic LPG Subsidy Scheme, 2002, as notified by
the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas vide
notification
No.
E-20029/18/2001-PP
dated
28.01.2003 (hereinafter referred to as PDS Scheme)
subject to the following conditions:(i)

Only supply of such quantity of LPG would be

eligible for which Ministry of Petroleum and
Natural Gas declines permission for export and
requires the LPG to be cleared in DTA; and

(ii) The Ministry of Finance by a notification has

permitted duty free imports of LPG for supply
under the aforesaid PDS Scheme.
6.10 Export through others
An EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP unit may export goods
manufactured / software developed by it through another
exporter or any other EOU / EHTP / STP / SEZ unit subject
to conditions mentioned in Para 6.19 of HBP.
6.11 Entitlement for Supplies from the DTA
(a)

Supplies from DTA to EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP units

will be regarded as deemed exports and DTA
supplier shall be eligible for relevant entitlements
under chapter 7 of FTP, besides discharge of export
obligation, if any, on the supplier. Notwithstanding the
above, EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP units shall, on
production of a suitable disclaimer from DTA supplier,
be eligible for obtaining entitlements specified in
chapter 7 of FTP. For claiming deemed export duty
drawback, they shall get brand rates fixed by DC
wherever All Industry Rates of Drawback are not
available.
117

(b) Suppliers of precious and semi-precious stones,

synthetic stones and processed pearls from DTA to
EOU shall be eligible for grant of Replenishment
Authorisations at rates and for items mentioned in
HBP.
(c)

In addition, EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP units shall be

entitled to following:(i)

Reimbursement of Central Sales Tax (CST) on

goods manufactured in India. Simple interest @
6% per annum will be payable on delay in refund
of CST, if the case is not settled within 30 days of
receipt of complete application (as in Para 9.10
(b) of HBP).

(ii) Exemption from payment of Central Excise Duty

on goods procured from DTA on
goods
manufactured in India.
(iii) Reimbursement of duty paid on fuel procured
from Domestic Oil Companies / Depots of
Domestic Oil Public Sector Undertakings as per
drawback rate notified by DGFT from time to
time. Reimbursement of additional duty of excise
levied on fuel under the Finance Acts would also
be admissible.
(iv) CENVAT Credit on service tax paid.

118

6.12 Other Entitlements

Other entitlements of EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP units are as
under:
(a)

Exemption from industrial licensing for manufacture of

items reserved for SSI sector.

(b) Export proceeds will be realized within nine months.

(c)

Units will be allowed to retain 100% of its export

earnings in the EEFC account.

(d) Unit will not be required to furnish bank guarantee at

the time of import or going for job work in DTA,
where:
(i) the unit has turnover of Rs. 5 crore or above;
(ii) the unit is in existence for at least three years;
and
(iii) the unit:
(1) has achieved positive NFE
obligation wherever applicable;

export

(2) has not been issued a show cause notice or a

confirmed demand, during the preceding 3
years, on grounds other than procedural
violations, under the penal provision of the
Customs Act, the Central Excise Act, the
Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation)
Act, the Foreign Exchange Management Act,
the Finance Act, 1994 covering Service Tax
or any allied Acts or the rules made
thereunder, on account of fraud / collusion /
wilful mis-statement / suppression of facts
119

or contravention of any of the provisions

thereof;
(e)

100% FDI investment permitted through automatic

route similar to SEZ units.

(f)

Units shall pay duty on the goods produced or

manufactured and cleared into DTA on monthly basis
in the manner prescribed in the Central Excise Rules.

(g) The Units Approval Committee may consider on a caseto-case basis request for sharing of infrastructural
facilities among EOUs and it shall forward its
recommendation to the Board of Approval for its
consideration. While accepting such proposals, the NFE
obligations of the Units shall not be altered. Such
facilities will be available to Units in EHTP / STP after
getting approval from IMSC. However, sharing of
facilities between EOUs and SEZ Units shall not be
permitted.
6.13 Inter Unit Transfer
(a)

Transfer of manufactured goods from one EOU / EHTP

/ STP / BTP unit to another EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP
unit is allowed with prior intimation to concerned
Development Commissioners of the transferer and
transferee units as well as concerned Customs
authorities,
following
procedure
of in-bond
movement of goods. Transfer of manufactured goods
shall also be allowed from EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP
unit to a SEZ developer or unit as per procedure
prescribed in SEZ Rules, 2006.

(b) Capital goods may be transferred or given on loan to

other EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP / SEZ units, with prior
intimation to concerned DC and Customs authorities.
120

Such transferred goods may also be returned by the

second unit to the original unit in case of rejection or
for any reason without payment of duty.
(c)

Goods supplied by one unit of EOU / EHTP / STP /

BTP to another unit shall be treated as imported
goods for second unit for payment of duty, on DTA
sale by second unit.

(d) In respect of a group of EOUs / EHTPs / STPs / BTP

Units which source inputs centrally in order to obtain
bulk discount and / or reduce cost of transportation
and other logistics cost and / or to maintain effective
supply chain, inter unit transfer of goods and services
may be permitted on a case-to-case basis by the Unit
Approval Committee. In case inputs so sourced are
imported and then transferred to another unit, then
value of the goods so transferred shall be taken as
inflow for the unit transferring these goods and as
outflow for the unit receiving these goods, for the
purpose of calculation of NFE.
6.14 Sub Contracting
(a)

(i) EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP units, including gems and

jewellery units, may on the basis of annual
permission from Customs authorities, sub - contract
production processes to DTA through job work which
may also involve change of form or nature of goods,
through job work by units in DTA.
(ii) These units may sub - contract upto 50% of
overall production of previous year in value terms in
DTA with permission of Customs authorities.

(b) (i) EOU may, with annual permission from Customs

authorities, undertake job work for export, on behalf
of DTA exporter, provided that goods are exported
121

directly from EOU and export document shall jointly

be in name of DTA / EOU. For such exports, DTA units
will be entitled for refund of duty paid on inputs by
way of brand rate of duty drawback.
(ii) Duty free import of goods for execution of export
order placed on EOU by foreign supplier on job work
basis, would be allowed subject to condition that no
DTA clearance shall be allowed.
(iii) Sub - contracting of both production and
production processes may also be undertaken without
any limit through other EOU / EHTP / STP/ BTP / SEZ
units, on the basis of records maintained in unit.
(iv) EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP units may sub - contract
part of production process abroad and send
intermediate products abroad as mentioned in LoP. No
permission would be required when goods are sought
to be exported from sub - contractor premises abroad.
When goods are sought to be brought back, prior
intimation to concerned DC and Customs authorities
shall be given.
(c)

Scrap / waste / remnants generated through job work

may either be cleared from job workers premises on
payment of applicable duty on transaction value or
destroyed in presence of Customs / Central Excise
authorities or returned to unit. Destruction shall not
apply to gold, silver, platinum, diamond, precious and
semi-precious stones.

(d) Sub - contracting / exchange by gems and jewellery

EOUs through other EOUs or SEZ units or units in
DTA, shall be as per procedure indicated in HBP.

122

6.15 Sale of Unutilized Material

(a)

In case an EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP unit is unable to

utilize goods and services, imported or procured from
DTA, it may be:
(i)

Transferred to another EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP

/ SEZ unit; or

(ii) Disposed of in DTA with approval of Customs

authorities on payment of applicable duties and
submission of import authorization; or
(iii) Exported.
Such transfer from EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP unit to
another such unit would be treated as import for
receiving unit.
(b) Capital goods and spares that have become obsolete /
surplus, may either be exported, transferred to another
EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP / SEZ unit or disposed of in
DTA on payment of applicable duties. Benefit of
depreciation, as applicable, will be available in case of
disposal in DTA only when the unit has achieved
positive NFE taking into consideration the depreciation
allowed. No duty shall be payable in case capital goods,
raw
material,
consumables,
spares,
goods
manufactured, processed or packaged, and scrap /
waste / remnants / rejects are destroyed within unit
after intimation to Customs authorities or destroyed
outside unit with permission of Customs authorities.
Destruction as stated above shall not apply to gold,
silver, platinum, diamond, precious and semi-precious
stones.

123

(c)

In case of textile sector, disposal of left over material /

fabrics upto 2% of CIF value or quantity of import,
whichever is lower, on payment of duty on transaction
value, may be allowed, subject to certification of
Central Excise / Customs officers that these are
leftover items.

(d) Disposal of used packing material will be allowed on

payment of duty on transaction value.
6.16 Reconditioning / Repair and Re - engineering
(a)

EOUs shall be set up with approval of UAC to carry out

reconditioning, repair, remaking, testing, calibration,
quality improvement, upgradation of technology and
re-engineering activities for export in foreign currency.
Provisions of paragraphs 6.08, 6.09, 6.10, 6.13, 6.14 of
FTP and para 6.29(a), (b), (c) and (d) of HBP shall not,
however, apply to such activities.

(b) EHTP/STP/BTP units shall be set up with approval of

IMSC to carry out reconditioning, repair, remaking,
testing, calibration, quality improvement, upgradation
of technology and re-engineering activities for export in
foreign currency. Provisions of paragraphs 6.08, 6.09,
6.10, 6.13, 6.14 of FTP and para 6.29(a), (b), (c) and (d)
of HBP shall not, however, apply to such activities.
6.17 Replacement / Repair of Imported / Indigenous
Goods
(a)

General provisions of FTP relating to export / import

of replacement / repair of goods would also apply
equally to EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP units. Cases not
covered by these provisions shall be considered on
merits by DC.
124

(b) Goods sold in DTA and not accepted for any reasons,
may be brought back for repair / replacement, under
intimation to concerned jurisdictional Customs /
Central Excise authorities.
(c)

Goods or parts thereof, on being imported /

indigenously procured and found defective or
otherwise unfit for use or which have been damaged
or become defective subsequently, may be returned
and replacement obtained or destroyed. In the event
of replacement, goods may be brought back from
foreign suppliers or their authorized agents in India or
indigenous suppliers. The unit can take free of cost
replacement (duty paid) from the authorized agents in
India of foreign suppliers, provided the defective part
is re - exported or destroyed. However, destruction
shall not apply to precious and semi-precious stones
and precious metals.

6.18 Exit from EOU Scheme

(a)

With approval of DC, an EOU may opt out of scheme.

Such exit shall be subject to payment of Excise and
Customs duties and industrial policy in force.

(b) If unit has not achieved obligations, it shall also be

liable to penalty at the time of exit.
(c)

In the event of a gems and jewellery unit ceasing its

operation, gold and other precious metals, alloys,
gems and other materials available for manufacture
of jewellery, shall be handed over to an agency
nominated by DoC, at price to be determined by that
agency.

125

(d) An EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP unit may also be

permitted by DC to exit from the scheme at any time
on payment of duty on capital goods under the
prevailing EPCG Scheme for DTA Units. This will be
subject to fulfilment of positive NFE criteria under
EOU scheme, eligibility criteria under EPCG scheme
and standard conditions indicated in HBP.
(e) Unit proposing to exit out of EOU scheme shall
intimate DC and Customs and Central Excise
authorities in writing. Unit shall assess duty liability
arising out of de-bonding and submit details of such
assessment to Customs and Central Excise
authorities. Customs and Central Excise authorities
shall confirm duty liabilities on priority basis,
subject to the condition that the unit has achieved
positive NFE, taking into consideration the
depreciation allowed. After payment of duty and
clearance of all dues, unit shall obtain No Dues
Certificate from Customs and Central Excise
authorities. On the basis of No Dues Certificate so
issued by the Customs and Central Excise authorities,
unit shall apply to DC for final de-bonding. In case
there is no proceeding pending under FT(D&R) Act,
as amended, DC shall issue final de-bonding order
within a period of 7 working days. Between No Dues
Certificate issued by Customs and Central Excise
authorities and final de-bonding order by DC, unit
shall not be entitled to claim any exemption for
procurement of capital goods or inputs. However,
unit can claim Advance Authorisation / DFIA / Duty
Drawback. Since the duty calculations and dues are
disputed and take a long time, a BG / Bond /
Instalment processes backed by BG shall be provided
for expediting the exit process.

126

(f)

In cases where a unit is initially established as DTA

unit with machines procured from abroad
after payment of applicable import duty, or from
domestic market after payment of excise duty, and
unit is subsequently converted to EOU, in such
cases removal of such capital goods to DTA after debonding would be without payment of duty.
Similarly, in cases where a DTA unit imported capital
goods under EPCG Scheme and after completely
fulfilling export obligation gets converted into EOU,
unit would not be charged customs duty on capital
goods at the time of removal of such capital goods in
DTA when de-bonding.

(g) An EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP unit may also be

permitted by DC to exit under Advance Authorization
as one time option. This will be subject to fulfilment
of positive NFE criteria.
(h) A simplified procedure may be provided to fast track
the De-bonding/ Exit of the STP / EHTP Unit which
has not availed any duty benefit on procurement of
raw material, capital goods etc.
6.19 Conversion
(a) Existing DTA units may also apply for conversion
into an EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP unit.
(b)
Existing EHTP / STP units may also apply for
conversion / merger to EOU unit and vice-versa. In
such cases, units will remain in bond and avail
exemptions in duties and taxes as applicable.

127

6.20 Monitoring of NFE

Performance of EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP units shall be
monitored by Units Approval Committee as per guidelines in
HBP.
6.21 Export through Exhibitions / Export Promotion
Tours / Showrooms Abroad / Duty Free Shops
EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP are permitted to:
(i)

Export goods for holding / participating

E xhibitions abroad with permission of DC.

in

(ii) Personal carriage of gold / silver / platinum jewellery,

precious, semi-precious stones, beads and articles.
(iii) Export goods for display / sale in permitted shops set
up abroad.
(iv) Display / sell in permitted shops set up abroad, or in
showrooms of their distributors / agents.
(v) Set up showrooms / retail outlets at International
Airports.
6.22 Personal Carriage of Import / Export Parcels
including through Foreign Bound Passengers
Import / export through personal carriage of gems and
jewellery items may be undertaken as per Customs
procedure. However, export proceeds shall be realized
through normal banking channel. Import / export through
personal carriage by units, other than gems and jewellery
units, shall be allowed provided goods are not in commercial
quantity. An authorized person of Gems & Jewellery EOU
may also import gold in primary form, upto 10 Kgs in a
128

financial year through personal carriage, as per guidelines

prescribed by RBI and DoR.
6.23 Export / Import by Post / Courier
Goods including free samples, may be exported /
imported by airfreight or through foreign post office or
through courier, as per Customs procedure.
6.24 Administration of EOUs / Powers of DC
Details of administration of EOUs and power of DC is given
in HBP.
6.25 Revival of Sick Units
Subject to a unit being declared sick by appropriate
authority, proposals for revival of the unit or its take over
may be considered by BOA.
6.26 Approval of EHTP / STP
In case of units under EHTP / STP schemes, necessary
approval / permission under relevant paras of this Chapter
shall be granted by officer designated by Ministry of
Communication and Information Technology, Department
of Electronics & Information Technology, instead of DC,
and
by
Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee (IMSC)
instead of BOA.
6.27 Approval of BTP
Bio-Technology Parks (BTP) would be notified by DGFT on
recommendations of Department of Biotechnology. In case
of units in BTP, necessary approval / permission under
relevant provisions of this chapter will be granted by
designated officer of Department of Biotechnology.
129

6.28 Warehousing Facilities

An EOU which intends to set up warehousing facilities
outside the EOU premises and outside the jurisdiction of DC,
at a place near to the port of export, to reduce lead time for
delivery of goods overseas and to address unpredictability of
supply orders, is permitted to do so subject to the provisions
related to export warehousing as per terms and conditions
of Notifications issued by the Department of Revenue.

130

CHAPTER 7
DEEMED EXPORTS
7.00 Objective
To provide a level-playing field to domestic manufacturers
in certain specified cases, as may be decided by the
Government from time to time.
7.01 Deemed Exports
Deemed Exports refer to those transactions in which goods
supplied do not leave country, and payment for such
supplies is received either in Indian rupees or in free foreign
exchange. Supply of goods as specified in Paragraph 7.02
below shall be regarded as Deemed Exports provided
goods are manufactured in India.
7.02 Categories of Supply
Supply of goods under following categories (a) to (d) by a
manufacturer and under categories (e) to (h) by main / subcontractors shall be regarded as Deemed Exports:
A.

Supply by manufacturer:

(a)

Supply of goods against Advance Authorisation /

Advance Authorisation for annual requirement / DFIA;
(b) Supply of goods to EOU / STP / EHTP / BTP;
(c) Supply of capital goods against EPCG Authorisation;
(d) Supply of marine freight containers by 100% EOU
(Domestic freight containers-manufacturers) provided
said containers are exported out of India within 6
months or such further period as permitted by
customs;

131

B.

Supply by main / sub-contractor (s):

(e)

(i) Supply of goods to projects financed by multilateral

or bilateral Agencies / Funds as notified by Department
of Economic Affairs (DEA), MoF, where legal
agreements provide for tender evaluation without
including customs duty.
(ii) Supply and installation of goods and equipment
(single responsibility of turnkey contracts) to projects
financed by multilateral or bilateral Agencies/Funds as
notified by Department of Economic Affairs (DEA),
MoF, for which bids have been invited and evaluated on
the basis of Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) prices for goods
manufactured abroad.
(iii) Supplies covered in this paragraph shall be under
International Competitive Bidding (ICB) in accordance
with procedures of those Agencies / Funds.
(iv) A list of agencies, covered under this paragraph,
for deemed export benefits, is given in Appendix 7A.

(f)

(i) Supply of goods to any project or for any purpose in

respect of which the Ministry of Finance, by
Notification No. 12/2012 Customs dated 17.3.2012, as
amended from time to time, permits import of such
goods at zero customs duty subject to conditions
specified in the above said Notification. Benefits of
deemed exports shall be available only if the supply is
made under procedure of ICB.
(ii) Supply of goods required for setting up of any
mega power project, as specified in the list 32A, at Sl.
No. 507 of Department of Revenue Notification No.
12/2012- Customs dated 17.03.2012, as amended from
time to time, shall be eligible for deemed export
132

benefits provided such mega power project conforms

to the threshold generation capacity specified in the
above said Notification.
(iii) For mega power projects, ICB condition would not
be mandatory if the requisite quantum of power has
been tied up through tariff based competitive bidding
or if the project has been awarded through tariff based
competitive bidding.
(g) Supply of goods to United Nations or International
Organisations for their official use or supplied to the
projects financed by the said United Nations or an
International organisation approved by Government of
India. List of such organisation and conditions
applicable to such supplies is given in the Excise
Notification No 108/95-CE, dated 28.08.1995, as
amended from time to time. A list of Agencies, covered
under this paragraph, is given in Appendix-7B.
(h) Supply of goods to nuclear power projects provided:
(i)

Such goods are required for setting up of any

Nuclear Power Project as specified in the list 33 at
Sl. No. 511 of Notification No. 12/2012 Customs
dated 17.3.2012, as amended from time to time.

(ii) The project should have a capacity of 440 MW or

more.
(iii) A certificate to the effect is required to be issued
by an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary
to Government of India, in Department of Atomic
Energy.
(iv) Tender is invited through National competitive
bidding (NCB) or through ICB.
133

7.03 Benefits for Deemed Exports

Deemed exports shall be eligible for any / all of following
benefits in respect of manufacture and supply of goods,
qualifying as deemed exports, subject to terms and
conditions as given in HBP and ANF-7A:
(a)

Advance Authorisation / Advance Authorisation for

annual requirement / DFIA.
(b) Deemed Export Drawback.
(c) Refund of terminal excise duty, if exemption is not
available.
7.04 Benefits to the Supplier /Recipient
Categori
es
of
supplies
as
per
Para
7.02
(a)

(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)

(g)
(h)

Benefits on supplies, as given in Para 7.03 above,

whichever is applicable.
Para 7.03 (a)
Para
Para 7.03 (c)
Advance
7.03(b)
Authorisation
Duty
Terminal Excise Duty
Drawback
Yes (for
Yes
(i) Exemption, in case of
intermediate
(against ARO Invalidation Letter
supplies against or Back to (ii) Refund, in case of ARO
an invalidation
Back letter of or back to back letter of
letter)
credit)
credit
(iii)
No
exemption/
refund against supply to
DFIA as CVD is not
exempted
Yes
Yes
Exemption
Yes
Yes
Refund
No
Yes
Refund
Yes
Yes
Exemption
Yes
Yes
Exemption, if supplies
under ICB. Refund, if
supplies under tariff
based
competitive
bidding.
Yes
Yes
Exemption
Yes
Yes
Refund

134

7.05 Conditions for refund of terminal excise duty

(i)

Supply of goods will be eligible for refund of terminal

excise duty as per Para 7.03 (c) of FTP, provided
recipient of goods does not avail CENVAT credit/rebate
on such goods.

(ii) However, supply of goods which are exempted abinitio from payment of Terminal Excise Duty would be
ineligible to get refund of TED. Exemption from TED is
available to the following:
(a) Supplies under ICB;
(b) Supplies of intermediate goods, against
invalidation letter,
made by an Advance
Authorisation holder to another Advance
Authorisation holder;
(c) Goods Procured by EOU / EHTP / STP / BTP unit
from a unit in DTA; and
(d) Supply of goods to UN/International Organisation
or project funded by it.
7.06 Conditions for refund of deemed export drawback
Supplies will be eligible for deemed export drawback as per
para 7.03 (b) of FTP, as under:
(a)

In case CENVAT credit / rebate has not been availed on

the inputs / input services, by the supplier of goods,
then, benefit as per Column A of All Industry Rate of
Duty Drawback Schedule shall be admissible.

(b) If CENVAT credit / rebate has been availed by the

supplier of goods, on inputs / input services, then, no
Drawback shall be admissible as per Column B of All
Industry Rate of Duty Drawback Schedule. However, in
such cases, Basic Customs Duty paid can be claimed as
135

Brand Rate of Duty Drawback based upon submission

of documents evidencing actual payment of duties.
7.07 Common conditions for deemed export benefits
(i)

Supplies shall be made directly to entities listed in the

Para 7.02. Third party supply shall not be eligible for
benefits/exemption.

(ii) In all cases, supplies shall be made directly to the

designated
Projects/Agencies/Units/
Advance
Authorisation/ EPCG Authorisation holder. Subcontractors may, however, make supplies to main
contractor instead of supplying directly to designated
Projects/ Agencies. Payments in such cases shall be
made to sub-contractor by main-contractor and not by
project Authority.
(iii) Supply of domestically manufactured goods by an
Indian Sub-contractor to any Indian or foreign main
contractor, directly at the designated projects/
Agencys site, shall also be eligible for deemed export
benefit provided name of sub-contractor is indicated
either originally or subsequently (but before the date
of supply of such goods) in the main contract. In such
cases payment shall be made directly to sub-contractor
by the Project Authority.
7.08 Benefits on specified supplies
(i)

Deemed export benefits shall be available for supplies

of Cement under Para 7.02 (e) only.

(ii) Deemed export benefit shall be available on supply of

Steel:

136

(a)

As an inputs to Advance Authorization/ Annual

Advance Authorization/DFIA holder/ an EOU.

(b) To multilateral/ bilateral funded Agencies as per

sub-Para 7.02(e).
(iii) Deemed export benefit shall be available on supply of
Fuel provided supplies are made to:
(a)

Project listed for petroleum operations in the

Customs Notification No. 12/2012Cus. dated
17.03.2012 under Sr. No. 356, 358 to 360 and
covered in Para 7.02 (f) of FTP;

(b) EOUs;
(c)

Advance Authorization holder / Annual Advance

Authorization holder.

7.09 Liability of Interest

Incomplete/deficient application is liable to be rejected.
However, simple interest @ 6% per annum will be payable
on delay in refund of duty drawback and terminal excise
duty under the scheme, provided the claim is not settled
within 30 days from the date of issue of final Approval Letter
by RA.
7.10 Risk Management and Internal Audit mechanism
(a)

A Risk Management system shall be in operation,

wherein every month, Computer system in DGFT
headquarters, on random basis, will select 10% of
cases, for each RA, where benefit(s) under this chapter
has/have already been granted. Such cases shall be
scrutinized by an internal Audit team, headed by a Joint
DGFT, in the office of respective Zonal Addl. DGFT. The
137

team will be responsible to audit claims of not only for

its own office but also the claims of all RAs falling
under the jurisdiction of the Zone.
(b) The respective RA may also, either on the basis of
report from Internal Audit/ External Audit Agency(ies)
or suo-motu, reassess any case, where any
erroneous/in-eligible
payment
has
been
made/claimed. RA will take necessary action for
recovery of payment along with interest at the rate of
15% per annum on the recoverable amount.
7.11 Penal Action
In case, claim is filed by submitting mis-declaration/misrepresentation of facts, then in addition to effecting recovery
under Para 7.10(b) above, the applicant shall be liable for
penal action under the provisions of F.T. (D&R) Act, Rules
and orders made thereunder.

138

CHAPTER 8
QUALITY COMPLAINTS AND TRADE DISPUTES

8.00 Objective
Exporters need to project a good image of the country
abroad to promote exports. Maintaining an enduring
relationship with foreign buyers is of utmost importance,
and complaints or trade disputes, whenever they arise, need
to be settled amicably as soon as possible. Importers too
may have grievances as well.
In an endeavour to resolve such complaints or trade
disputes and to create confidence in the business
environment of the country, a mechanism is being laid down
to address such complaints and disputes in an amicable way.
8.01 Quality Complaints/ Trade disputes
The following type of complaints may be considered:
(a)

Complaints received from foreign buyers in respect of

poor quality of the products supplied by exporters
from India;

(b) Complaints of importers against foreign suppliers in

respect of quality of the products supplied; and
(c)

Complaints of unethical commercial dealings

categorized mainly as non-supply/ partial supply of
goods after confirmation of order; supplying goods
other than the ones as agreed upon; non-payment; nonadherence to delivery schedules, etc.

139

8.02 Obligation on the part of importer/ exporter

(a)

Rule 11 of the Foreign Trade (Regulation) Rules, 1993,

requires that on the importation into, or exportation
out of, any customs ports of any goods, whether liable
to duty or not, the owner of such goods shall in the Bill
of Entry or the Shipping Bill or any other documents
prescribed under the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962),
state the value, quality and description of such goods to
the best of his knowledge and belief and in case of
exportation of goods, certify that the quality and
specification of the goods as stated in those documents,
are in accordance with the terms of the export contract
entered into with the buyer or consignee in pursuance
of which the goods are being exported and shall
subscribe a declaration of the truth of such statement
at the foot of such Bill of Entry or Shipping Bill or any
other documents. Violation of this provision renders
the exporter liable for penal action.

(b) Certain export commodities have been notified for

Compulsory Quality Control & Pre-shipment Inspection
prior to their export. Penal action can be taken under
the Export (Quality Control & Inspection) Act, 1963 as
amended in 1984, against exporters who do not
conform to these standards and/ or provisions of the
Act as laid down for such products.
8.03 Provisions in FT (D&R) Act & FT (Regulation) Rules
for necessary action against erring exporters/
importers
Action against erring exporters can be taken under the
Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, as
amended and under Foreign Trade (Regulation) Rules, 1993,
as follows:140

(a)

Section 8 of the Act empowers the Director General of

Foreign Trade or any other person authorized by him
to suspend or cancel the Importer Exporter Code
Number for the reasons as given therein.

(b) Section 9 (2) of the Act empowers the Director General

of Foreign Trade or an officer authorised by him to
refuse to grant or renew a license, certificate, scrip or
any other instrument bestowing financial or fiscal
benefit granted under the Act.
(c)

Section 9(4) empowers the Director General of Foreign

Trade or the officer authorized by him to suspend or
cancel any License, certificate, scrip or any instrument
bestowing financial or fiscal benefit granted under the
Act.

(d) Section 11(2) of the Act provides for imposition of

fiscal penalty in cases where a person makes or abets
or attempts to make any import or export in
contravention of any provision of the Act, any Rules or
Orders made there under or the Foreign Trade Policy.
8.04 Mechanism for handling of Complaints/ Disputes
(a)

Committee on Quality complaints and Trade

Disputes (CQCTD)
To deal effectively with the increasing number of
complaints and disputes, a Committee on Quality
Complaints and Trade Disputes (CQCTD) will be
constituted in the 22 offices of the RAs of DGFT. Names
of RAs, where CQCTD has been constituted and
jurisdiction of CQCTD is given in Chapter 8 of the
Handbook of Procedures.

141

(b) Composition of the CQCTD

The CQCTD would be constituted under the
Chairpersonship of the Head of Office. The constitution
of CQCTD is given in Chapter 8 of the Hand Book of
Procedures.
(c)

Functions of CQCTD
The Committee (CQCTD) will be responsible for
enquiring and investigating into all Quality related
complaints and other trade related complaints falling
under the jurisdiction of the respective RAs. It will take
prompt and effective steps to redress and resolve the
grievances of the importers, exporters and overseas
buyers, preferably within three months of receipt of
the complaint. Wherever required, the Committee
(CQCTD) may take the assistance of the Export
Promotion Councils/FIEO/Commodity Boards or any
other agency as considered appropriate for settlement
of these disputes.

8.05 Proceedings under CQCTD

CQCTD proceedings are only reconciliatory in nature and the
aggrieved party, whether the foreign buyer or the Indian
importer, is free to pursue any legal recourse against the
other erring party.
8.06 Procedures to deal with complaints and trade
disputes
The procedure for making an application for such
complaints or trade disputes and the procedure to deal with
such quality complaints and disputes is given in the
Handbook of Procedures.
142

8.07 Corrective Measures

The Committee at RA level can authorize the Export
Inspection Agency or any technical authority to assess
whether there has been any technical failure of not meeting
the standards, manufacturing/ design defects, etc. for which
complaints have been received.
8.08 Nodal Officer
Director General of Foreign Trade would appoint an officer,
not below the rank of Joint Director General, in the
Headquarters, to function as the Nodal Officer for
coordinating with various Regional Authorities of DGFT.

143

CHAPTER 9
DEFINITIONS
9.00

For purpose of FTP, unless context otherwise

requires, the following words and expressions shall
have the following meanings attached to them:-

9.01

"Accessory" or "Attachment" means a part, subassembly or assembly that contributes to efficiency

or effectiveness of a piece of equipment without
changing its basic functions.

9.02

"Act" means Foreign Trade (Development and

Regulation) Act, 1992 (No.22 of 1992) [FT (D&R)
Act] as amended from time to time.

9.03

Actual User is a person (either natural or legal)

who is authorized to use imported goods in his/its
own premise which has a definitive postal address.
(a) "Actual User (Industrial)" is a person (either natural
& legal) who utilizes imported goods for
manufacturing in his own industrial unit or
manufacturing for his own use in another unit
including a jobbing unit which has a definitive postal
address.
(b) "Actual User (Non-Industrial)" is a person (either
natural & legal) who utilizes the imported goods
for his own use in:
(i) any commercial establishment, carrying on any
business, trade or profession, which has a
definitive postal address; or

144

(ii) any laboratory, Scientific or Research and

Development (R&D) institution, university or
other educational institution or hospital which
has a definitive postal address; or
(iii) any service industry which has a definitive
postal address.
9.04

"AEZ" means Agricultural Export Zones notified by

DGFT in Appendix 2V of Appendices and Aayat
Niryat Forms.

9.05

Appeal is an application filed under section 15

of the Act and includes such applications preferred
by DGFT officials in government interest against
decision by designated adjudicating/appellate
authorities.

9.06

"Applicant" means person on whose behalf an

application is made and shall, wherever context so
requires, includes person signing the application.

9.07

Authorization means permission as included in

Section 2 (g) of the Act to import or export as per
provisions of FTP.

9.08

"Capital Goods" means any plant, machinery,

equipment or accessories required for manufacture
or production, either directly or indirectly, of goods
or for rendering services, including those required
for replacement, modernisation, technological upgradation or expansion. It includes packaging
machinery and equipment, refrigeration equipment,
power generating sets, machine tools, equipment
and instruments for testing, research and
development, quality and pollution control.
145

Capital goods may be for use in manufacturing,

mining, agriculture, aquaculture, animal husbandry,
floriculture, horticulture, pisciculture, poultry,
sericulture and viticulture as well as for use in
services sector.
9.09

"Competent Authority" means an authority

competent to exercise any power or to discharge
any duty or function under the Act or the Rules and
Orders made there under or under FTP.

9.10

"Component" means one of the parts of a subassembly or assembly of which a manufactured

product is made up and into which it may be
resolved. A component includes an accessory or
attachment to another component.

9.11

"Consumables" means any item, which participates

in or is required for a manufacturing process, but
does not necessarily form part of end-product.
Items, which are substantially or totally consumed
during a manufacturing process, will be deemed to
be consumables.

9.12

"Consumer Goods" means any consumption goods,

which can directly satisfy human needs without
further processing and includes consumer durables
and accessories thereof.

9.13

"Counter Trade" means

any arrangement under
which exports/imports from /to India are balanced
either
by
direct
imports/exports
from
importing/exporting country or through a third
country under a Trade Agreement or otherwise.
Exports/ Imports under Counter Trade may be
carried out through Escrow Account, Buy Back
146

arrangements, Barter trade or any similar

arrangement. Balancing of exports and imports
could wholly or partly be in cash, goods and/or
services.
9.14

"Developer" means a person or body of persons,

company, firm and such other private or
government undertaking, who develops, builds,
designs, organises, promotes, finances, operates,
maintains or manages a part or whole of
infrastructure and other facilities in SEZ as
approved by Central Government and also includes a
co- developer.

9.15

"Development Commissioner" means Development

Commissioner of SEZ

9.16

"Domestic Tariff Area (DTA)" means area within

India which is outside SEZs and EOU/ EHTP/
STP/BTP.

9.17

"Drawback on deemed export in relation to any

goods manufactured in India and supplied as
deemed exports, means the rebate of duty or tax, as
the case may be, chargeable on any imported
materials or excisable materials used or taxable
services used as input services in the manufacture of
such goods.

9.18

"EOU" means Export Oriented Unit for which a letter

of permit has been issued by Development
Commissioner.

9.19

"Excisable goods" means any goods produced or

manufactured in India and subject to duty of excise
under Central Excise and Salt Act 1944 (1 of 1944).
147

9.20

Export is as defined in FT (D&R) Act, 1992, as

amended from time to time.

9.21

"Exporter" means a person who exports or

intends to export and holds an IEC number, unless
otherwise specifically exempted.

9.22

"Export Obligation" means obligation to export

product or products covered by Authorisation or
permission in terms of quantity, value or both, as
may be prescribed or specified by Regional or
competent authority.

9.23

Free as appearing in context of import/export

policy for items means goods which do not need any
Authorisation/ License or permission for being
imported into the country or exported out.

9.24

FTP means the Foreign Trade Policy which

specifies policy for exports and imports under
Section 5 of the Act.

9.25

Import is as defined in FT (D&R) Act, 1992 as

amended from time to time.

9.26

"Importer" means a person who imports or intends

to import and holds an IEC number, unless otherwise
specifically exempted.

9.27

ITC (HS) refers to Indian Trade Classification

(Harmonized System) at 8 digits.

9.28

"Jobbing" means processing or working upon of raw

materials or semi-finished goods supplied to job
worker, so as to complete a part of process resulting
in manufacture or finishing of an article or any
148

operation which is essential for aforesaid process.

9.29

"Licensing Year" means period beginning on the

1st April of a year and ending on the 31st March of
the following year.

9.30

"Managed Hotel" means hotels managed by a

three star or above hotel/ hotel chain under an
operating management contract for a duration of at
least three years between operating hotel/ hotel
chain and hotel being managed. Management
contract must necessarily cover the entire gamut of
operations/ management of managed hotel.

9.31

"Manufacture" means to make, produce, fabricate,

assemble, process or bring into existence, by hand
or by machine, a new product having a distinctive
name, character or use and shall include processes
such as refrigeration,
re-packing,
polishing,
labeling,
Re-conditioning
repair,
remaking,
refurbishing, testing, calibration, re-engineering.
Manufacture, for the purpose of FTP, shall also
include agriculture, aquaculture, animal husbandry,
floriculture, horticulture, pisciculture, poultry,
sericulture, viticulture and mining.

9.32

"Manufacturer Exporter" means a person who

exports goods manufactured by him or intends to
export such goods.

9.33

Merchant Exporter means a person engaged in

trading activity and exporting or intending to export
goods.

149

9.34

NC means the Norms Committee in the

Directorate General of Foreign Trade for approval
of adhoc input output norms in cases where SION
does not exist and recommend SION to be notified in
DGFT.

9.35

"Notification" means a notification published in

Official Gazette.

9.36

"Order" means an Order

Government under the Act.

9.37

"Part" means an element of a sub-assembly or

assembly not normally useful by itself, and not
amenable to further disassembly for maintenance
purposes. A part may be a component, spare or an
accessory.

9.38

"Person" means both natural and legal and includes

an individual, firm, society, company, corporation or
any other legal person including the DGFT officials.

9.39

"Policy" means Foreign Trade Policy (2015-2020) as

amended from time to time.

9.40

"Prescribed" means prescribed under the Act or the

Rules or Orders made there under or under FTP.

9.41

Prohibited indicates the import/export policy of an

item, as appearing in ITC (HS) or elsewhere, whose
import or export is not permitted.

9.42

"Public Notice" means a notice published under

provisions of paragraph 2.04 of FTP.

150

made

by

Central

9.43

Quota means the quantity of goods of a specific

kind that is permitted to be imported without
restriction or imposition of additional Duties.

9.44

"Raw material" means

input(s) needed for
manufacturing of goods. These inputs may either be
in a raw/natural/ unrefined/ unmanufactured or
manufactured state.

9.45

"Regional Authority" means authority competent to

grant an Authorisation under the Act / Order.

9.46

"Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate" (RCMC)

means certificate of registration and membership
granted by an Export Promotion Council /
Commodity Board / Development Authority or other
competent authority as prescribed in FTP or
Handbook of Procedures.

9.47

Restricted is a term indicating the import or

export policy of an item, which can be imported into
the country or exported outside, only after obtaining
an authorization from the offices of DGFT.

9.48

"Rules" means Rules made by Central Government

under Section 19 of the FT (D&R)Act.

9.49

SCOMET is the nomenclature for dual use items of

Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment
and Technologies (SCOMET). Export of dual-use
items and technologies under Indias Foreign Trade
Policy is regulated. It is either prohibited or is
permitted under an authorization.

9.50

"Services" include all tradable services covered

under General Agreement on Trade in Services
(GATS) and earning free foreign exchange.
151

9.51

"Service Provider" means a person providing:

(i) Supply of a service from India to any other
country; (Mode1- Cross border trade)
(ii) Supply of a service from India to service
consumer(s) of
any other country; (Mode 2Consumption abroad)
(iii)Supply of a service from India through
commercial presence in any other country. (Mode 3
Commercial Presence.)
(iv)Supply of a service from India through the
presence of natural persons in any other country
(Mode 4- Presence of natural persons.)

9.52

"Ships" mean all types of vessels used for sea borne

trade or coastal trade, and shall include second hand
vessels.

9.53

"SION" means Standard Input Output Norms notified

by DGFT.

9.54

"Spares means a part or a sub-assembly or

assembly for substitution that is ready to replace an
identical or similar part or sub- assembly or
assembly. Spares include a component or an
accessory.

9.55

"Specified" means specified by or under the

provisions of this Policy through Notification /
Public Notice.

9.56

"Status holder" means an exporter recognized as

One Star Export House/ Two Star Export House /
Three Star Export House / Four Star Export House/
Five Star Export House by DGFT/ Development
Commissioner.
152

9.57

Stores means goods for use in a vessel or aircraft

and includes fuel and spares and other articles of
equipment, whether or not for immediate fitting.

9.58

(a) "Supporting Manufacturer" is one who

manufactures
goods/products
or
any
part/accessories/components of a good/product for
a merchant exporter or a manufacturer exporter
under a specific authorization.
(b) Supporting Manufacturer for the EPCG Scheme
shall be one in whose premises/factory Capital
Goods
imported/
procured
under
EPCG
authorization is installed.

9.59

State Trading Enterprises (STEs), for the purpose of

this FTP, are those entities which are granted
exclusive right / privileges export and / or import
as per para 2.20 (a) of FTP.

9.60

"Third-party exports" means exports made by an

exporter or manufacturer on behalf of another
exporter(s).
In such cases, export documents such as shipping
bills shall indicate name of both manufacturing
exporter /manufacturer and third party exporter(s).
Bank Realisation Certificate, Self Declaration Form
(SDF), export order and invoice should be in the
name of third party exporter.

9.61

"Transaction Value is as defined in Customs

Valuation Rules of Department of Revenue.

9.62

"Wild Animal" means any wild animal as defined in

Section 2(36) of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
153

GLOSSARY (ACRONYMS)
Acronym

Explanation

AA
AANF
ACU
AEZ
ANF
ARE-1

Advance Authorisation
Appendices and Aayaat Niryaat Form
Asian Clearing Union
Agri Export Zone
Aayat Niryaat Form
Application for Removal of Excisable Goods
for Export (By Air/Sea/Post/Land)
Application for Removal of Excisable Goods
from a factory or a warehouse to another
warehouse
Accredited Clients Programme
Authorised Economic Operator
Approved Exporters Scheme
Agricultural & Processed Food Products
Export Development Authority
Advance Release Order
Association of South- East Asian Nations
Assistance to States for Infrastructure
Development of Exports
Actual User
Basic Customs Duty
Bank Guarantee
Board
of
Industrial
and
Financial
Reconstruction
Board of Approval
Board of Trade
Bank Realisation Certificate
Biotechnology Park
Bureau of Indian Standards
Central Board of Excise and Customs
Customs Clearance Permit
Central Excise Authority
Chartered Engineer Certificate

ARE-3
ACP
AEO
AES
APEDA
ARO
ASEAN
ASIDE
AU
BCD
BG
BIFR
BOA
BOT
BRC
BTP
BIS
CBEC
CCP
CEA
CEC

154

CED
CENVAT
CETF
CFCs
CG
CIF
CIN
CIS
CKD
CoD
CoO
CQCTD
CRES
CST
CIN
CRES
CEPA
CBEC
CSP
CECA
CVD
DA
DBK
DC
DDA
DEA
DEL
DES
DFIA
DGCI&S
DIN

Central Excise Duty

Central Value Added Tax
Common Effluent Treatment Facility
Common Facility Centres
Capital Goods
Cost, Insurance & Freight
Corporate Identification Number
Commonwealth of Independent States
Completely Knocked Down
Cash on Delivery
Certificate of Origin
Committee on Quality Complaints and Trade
Disputes
Certificate of Registration as Exporter of
Spices
Central Sales Tax
Company Identification Number
Certification of Registration as Exporter of
Spices
Comprehensive
Economic
Partnership
Agreement
Central Board of Excise and Customs
Common Service Provider
Comprehensive
Economic
Cooperation
Agreement
Countervailing Duty
Document against Acceptance
Drawback
Development Commissioner
Diamond Dollar Accounts
Department of Economic Affairs
Denied Entity List
Duty Exemption Schemes
Duty Free Import Authorisation
Director General, Commercial Intelligence &
Statistics.
Director Identification Number
155

DPIN
DGFT
DIPP
DoBT
DoC
DeitY
DoR
DoT
DRS
DTA
e-BRC
e-IEC
ECA
EDI
ECGC
EEFC
EFC
EFT
EGM
EHTP
EIC
EO
EODC
EOP
EOU
EPC
EPCG
EPO
EXIM
FDI
FE
FEMA
FIEO
FIRC
FOB

Designated Partner Identification Number

Director General of Foreign Trade
Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion
Department of Bio-Technology
Department of Commerce
Department of Electronics and Information
Technology
Department of Revenue
Department of Telecommunications
Duty Remission Schemes
Domestic Tariff Area
Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate
Electronic Importer-Exporter Code
Enforcement- cum-Adjudication
Electronic Data Interchange
Export Credit Guarantee Corporation
Exchange Earners Foreign Currency
Exim Facilitation Committee
Electronic Fund Transfer
Export General Manifest
Electronic Hardware Technology Park
Export Inspection Council
Export Obligation
Export Obligation Discharge Certificate
Export Obligation Period
Export Oriented Unit
Export Promotion Council
Export Promotion Capital Goods
Engineering Process Outsourcing
Export Import
Foreign Direct Investment
Foreign Exchange
Foreign Exchange Management Act
Federation of Indian Export Organisation
Foreign Exchange Inward Remittance
Certificate
Free On Board
156

FOR
FT (D&R)Act
FTDO
FTP
FT(R) Rules
FTWZ
FTA
G&J EPC
GOI
GATS
GR
HACCP
HBP
HHEC
ICB
ICD
ICM
IEC
ISO
IAEA
INFCIRC
IEM
IMSC
IL
ISO
ITC (HS)
KVIC
LC
LCS
LLPIN
LPG
LoC

Freight on Road and Rails

Foreign Trade ( Development & Regulation)
Act, 1992 (22 of 1992)
Foreign Trade Development Officer
Foreign Trade Policy
Foreign Trade (Regulation) Rules
Free Trade and Warehousing Zone
Free Trade Agreement
Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council
Government of India
General Agreement on Trade in Services
Guarantee of Realisation
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Process
Handbook of Procedures
Handicraft
&
Handlooms
Exports
Corporation
International Competitive Bidding
Inland Container Depot
Indian Commercial Mission
Importer Exporter Code
International
Organisation
for
Standardisation
International Atomic Energy Agency
International Atomic Energy Agency
Information Circular
Industrial Entrepreneurial Memorandum
Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee
Industrial Licensing
International Standards Organisation
Indian Trade Classification (Harmonised
System) for Export & Import Items
Khadi and Village Industries Commission
Letter of Credit
Land Customs Station
Limited Liability Partnership Number
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Line of Credit
157

LoI
LoP
LUT
MAI
MDA
MEA
MEIS
MRA
MoD
MoF
MSME
MSMED
MSTC
NBFC
NC
NFE
NI
NCB
NOC
PDS
PEC
PIC
PRC
PAN
PH
PTA
PSU
R&D
RA
RBI
RCMC
REP
RPA
S/B

Letter of Intent
Letter of Permit
Legal Undertaking
Market Access Initiative
Market Development Assistance
Ministry of External Affairs
Merchandise Exports from India Scheme
Mutual Recognition Agreements
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Micro Small and Medium
Enterprises
Micro Small and Medium
Enterprises
Development
Metal Scrap Trade Corporation
Non- Banking Financial Company
Norms Committee
Net Foreign Exchange
Non-Infringing
National Competitive Bidding
No Objection Certificate
Public Distribution System
Project and Equipment Corporation of India
Ltd.
Policy Interpretation Committee
Policy Relaxation Committee
Permanent Account Number
Personal Hearing
Preferential Trade Agreement
Public Sector Undertaking
Research and Development
Regional Authority
Reserve Bank of India
Registration-cum-Membership Certificate
Replenishment
Rupee Payment Area
Shipping Bill
158

SAD
SCOMET
SEI CMM
SEZ
SEIS
SIA
SIIC
SION
SKD
SLEPC
STC
STCL
STE
STH
STPI
STR
SUVs
TED
TEE
TH
TPO
TRA
TRQ
TUFS
UAC
UN
VA
WCO
WHOGMP

Special Additional Duty

Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials,
Equipment and Technology
Software Engineers Institutes Capability
Maturity Model
Special Economic Zone
Service Exports from India Scheme
Secretariat for Industrial Assistance
State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation
Standard Input Output Norms
Semi- Knocked Down
State Level Export Promotion Committee
State Trading Corporation
Spices Trading Corporation Limited
State Trading Enterprise
Star Trading House
Software Technology Park of India
State Trading Regime
Sports Utility Vehicles
Terminal Excise Duty
Towns of Export Excellence
Trading House
Trade Promotion Organization
Telegraphic Release Advice
Tariff Rate Quota
Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme
Units Approval Committee
United Nations
Value Addition
World Customs Organisation
World
Health
Organisation
Good
Manufacturing Practices
************

159